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This has been a fairly good week for professional wrestling across all of the WWE brands. Even though the writers haven't really delivered at times, the wrestlers have told incredible stories between the ropes. This week, NXT did what the main roster could not. In addition to a great match, they also told a touching story.
This was a story of determination, of courage and ultimately of betrayal. The episode was built around the Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade 'Cien' Almas 'Loser Leaves NXT' match. A match that delivered and then some.
Of course, a lot more happened during the show as well. We've captured all the fun and excitement for you in this 5-point recap.
Let's begin with the topic that everyone's been buzzing about, of late!
#5 The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is back!
Dusty Rhodes is a superstar who played an invaluable role in the history of professional wrestling, both as a performer and a booker. Towards the end of the career, he was a trainer and mentor to a lot of the talent in NXT, helping them find their voice. To honour his memory, The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic was launched. And now, it's back once more!
This week on NXT, William Regal announced the return of the tournament we love dearly. The winners even get to compete against the Tag Team Champions, on WrestleMania 34 weekend. This is a tournament with stakes (and weights, as Heavy Machinery would say).
Can TM61 realize their destiny and emerge victorious? Could War Machine create a massive first impression?
We should have more clarity when the tournament kicks off.
#4 A classic match interrupted
Every time that Johnny Gargano has clashed with Andrade 'Cien' Almas, the outcome has left the audience gasping with sheer delight. These two men can bring the best out of one another, as they proved during their classic match at NXT Takeover: Philadelphia recently.
This week, we expected yet another classic from the men, and they delivered like only these two can. The women got in on the action as well, as Candice LeRae and Zelina Vega had a brawl of their own, midway through the match. We seemed to be on the verge of another 5-star performance.
And then, Tommaso Ciampa showed up with a crutch, that he used to take out Gargano when the referee was knocked out. Much to the dismay of the NXT Universe, Johnny Gargano failed to win the big prize once again, and will now be forced to quit NXT forever.
Andrade 'Cien' Almas will most likely move on to a new challenger now, and we can only presume that Aleister Black and Killian Dain would be next in line based on their interaction, a week prior.
#3 Goodbye, Johnny Wrestling
There is no WWE superstar who brings about the kind of emotional reaction that Johnny Gargano induces in his fans. He's a likeable character and someone you root for, as your guy. There's no way that the Gargano-Ciampa rivalry won't happen. The only questions are when and where!?
Will Ciampa face Gargano on 205 Live, now that Gargano cannot compete in NXT anymore? Will he make a return to NXT, through some contract loophole (in the storyline of course)? So many questions on the road to NXT Takeover: New Orleans.
#2 NXT's next breakout star?
No Way Jose was shocked when he squared off against The Velveteen Dream. The man who is usually serenaded by chants of 'No Way Jose' was forgotten. Instead, the crowd was chanting for his opponent. The Velveteen Dream was the talk of the NXT town.
The Velveteen Dream even made short work of No Way Jose. The Purple Rainmaker impaled No Way Jose, right at the centre of his heart. And then, Velveteen Dream took the microphone and implied he should have won all the Year-End awards that other NXT superstars won.
The Velveteen Dream has the look and the charisma to succeed at the highest level. The question remains...does Vince McMahon completely understand his character though?
#1 Who dares cross Nikki?
Nikki Cross seems to have lost the momentum she once had when she was feuding with Asuka. She's always been a favourite of the NXT Universe but has somehow been forgotten with superstars like Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane in the spotlight.
This week, she made very short work of Vanessa Borne. The ovation she received was pretty big, right from the time she made her way to the ring. Cross proved that she's as tough as they come, and deserves to be in the NXT Women's Championship conversation yet again.
We cannot predict the future. We can give you a post-show analysis, however, if you do join us again next week.
Please leave a comment on whether or not you liked the show, right below.
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Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
