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From WrestleMania to The Greatest Royal Rumble to Backlash, not to mention weekly WWE television (in addition to programming from other promotions), one must admit that there's a lot of wrestling to follow. Even if it's your job to watch and review wrestling, it can get a bit overwhelming at times!
And yet, NXT never feels like work. The hour just breezes by and at the end of the action, you're left wanting for much more. Very few brands have this effect on fans, especially when there's such an abundance of programming out there.
This week's show was a lot of fun, in my opinion. I've tried to identify 5 highlights from this week's show and present them to you in this article.
Let me know what you thought of this week's show in the comments.
#5 A very interesting confrontation
Anyone who follows independent wrestling must be familiar with the high-flying sensation known as Ricochet. He's one of the most gifted athletes in the world and NXT bagged a huge superstar when they signed him up. This week, he made his intentions known at the top of the show.
Yes, Ricochet will certainly be gunning for the NXT Championship currently held by The Dutch Destroyer- Aleister Black. And then he was confronted by yet another man, who mentioned that he had designs on the very same title - The Velveteen Dream. Neither man seemed ready for a fight, but there was a point where it seemed that fists would fly in short order.
And yet, both men decided to not fight at all, at least on this one particular night. We have no doubt that these two men will mix it up in the ring very soon indeed. This was a great way to start the show and get the audience all pumped for the chaos to follow.
#4 Best heel in the business
We recently saw how lyrics were added to Nakamura's theme so that people would not sing along to this song. NXT has gone a step further with Ciampa in recent times, by having him come out to no music at all. And when he does stride out, the boos are truly deafening. This week, he took on Kassius Ohno in the big main event of the event.
Ohno agreed to the match to pay Ciampa back for all that he'd done to his friend Johnny Gargano. Only he was unsuccessful as Ciampa picked up a win with a vicious neckbreaker. During the match, he also gouged Kassius Ohno's eyes with his fingernails.
After the match was done, someone started a chant directed towards Ciampa that went something like this- 'You're the Devil (clap clap clapclapclap)'. Ciampa soaked up the chant as he delivered more punishment on Kassius Ohno.
#3 Raiding through NXT's tag team division
Hanson and Rowe took on Heavy Machinery this week in a battle of the bulls. They manhandled the duo obsessed with 'steaks and weights' like they never have been in the past. And then with surgical precision, these two bearded raiders picked up a comprehensive victory. Will they be booked as the new Authors of Pain, down the line?
The Street Profits also made their intentions known in a promo package. They too have their sights set on the big prize- the NXT Tag Team Championships.
#2 Terrified of Baszler
Dakota Kai was very impressive during her match with Vanessa Borne. She showed some great babyface fire towards the end of the match that left us very entertained. However, her victory was the smallest talking point on this week's show.
Somehow, Shayna Baszler has gotten into Dakota Kai's head. Somehow, Kai is intimidated of the NXT Women's Champion. This is a unique sort of story and I'm curious to see where it leads.
Even Nikki Cross seemed amused by what was happening. I wonder where this storyline is headed in the weeks to come?!
#1 An impressive Full Sail debut
EC3 has always been a gifted individual. Anyone who has followed him outside WWE is aware of this. He seems like he's already main roster ready and has a high ceiling in NXT, at this time. This week, he took on Raul Mendoza in a short exhibition match.
Following the match, he cut a promo letting his intentions be known. He boasted about his talent and his physique. He told her that NXT will soon be known as NX3, going forward.
This was my take on this week's action. Let me know yours in the comments.
I will see all you folks again next week!
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