NXT - 5 Points to Note (11 July, 2018)

By Riju Dasgupta
Modified Jul 12, 2018 11:14 IST
This was an eventful week for the performers in NXT
This was an eventful week for the performers in NXT

NXT was an eventful affair this week. While RAW and SmackDown Live had lackluster shows ahead of a pay-per-view, this week's NXT almost felt like a mini TakeOver. It was certainly a newsworthy affair with many developments. I was thrilled at how it all went down.

I will try and segregate the action from this week into 5 distinct, separate components. Leave a comment and let me know what you thought of the show. Did you think it was better than RAW and SmackDown Live?

Do you guys feel that Triple H understands how to turn the WWE product around? Is the product in safe hands after Vince McMahon retires from the wrestling business.

While that may be a question that is answered after a while, here are some highlights from this week's show.

#5 A challenge for the champion

Kairi Sane made a bold statement with a big win
Kairi Sane made a bold statement with a big win

At first glance, the diminutive Kairi Sane does not seem like a performer with the vast offensive array she is known for. When the bell rings, she's like a torpedo, taking her opponents down with precision and power at once. This week, Sane took on Vanessa Borne in an exciting contest.

The announcers touched upon the fact that Borne hadn't won all that many matches since she came to NXT. They also spoke about how she was putting in the hours and how her stock was rising with every passing week. That said, Sane did not take too long to defeat the significantly larger Borne with a brand new finisher she proudly calls 'The Anchor'.

And then, following her victory, Kairi Sane got down to business. She issued a challenge to Shayna Baszler, leading to William Regal announcing a massive match.

#4 Throwing in the towel

Tyler Bate could not bear to see his friends in peril
Tyler Bate could not bear to see his friend in peril

When these four men got into the ring and took each other to the limit, the crowd was absolutely ecstatic at once. All of the competitors worked wonderfully with one another telling a fantastic story, centered around Trent Seven. The story of how The Undisputed ERA were sharks, smelling blood, attacking Seven's leg and taking it apart piece by piece.

The announcers must be commended for how they called this match. Against the backdrop of the NXT Universe chanting 'this is awesome' and 'NXT', the announcers spoke of the agony and anguish that Trent Seven was feeling as a result of the punishment he was enduring. They also spoke of the bond between Tyler Bate and Trent Seven, and how much this punishment was affecting the babyface Bate.

Therefore, when Tyler Bate finally threw in the towel to bring the contest to a finish, nobody was surprised. I loved how the heels won the match clean and redeemed themselves without any real shenanigans.

#3 Big altercation, even bigger match announced

Could Candice LeRae become Shayna Baszler's next challenger?
Could Candice LeRae become Shayna Baszler's next challenger?

Thus far, Candice LeRae has only been a sideshow character in the ongoing Ciampa-Gargano saga. This could potentially change with the events that transpired this week. Shayna Baszler and Candice LeRae got into a backstage altercation and had to be pulled apart. It was great to see that LeRae would not back down from anybody, even Baszler.

In other news, Dakota Kai and Lacey Evans also got into a nasty verbal battle and have now kickstarted a feud of their own.

#2 North American Champ wins a big non-title match

Adam Cole had a close shave during the opening contest
Adam Cole had a close shave during the opening contest

Adam Cole and Danny Burch had a fantastic opening contest, where it seemed like Burch had the upper hand at certain points. Yet, Cole picked up a big win with the Last Shot. He even kicked out of Burch's finisher- The Tower of London.

Herein lies a big component that differentiates NXT from the main roster. Jeff Hardy was pinned in a non-title match on live TV. NXT will hardly ever showcase their champions as weak, even on weekly television.

What is next for Adam Cole? I think great things are due for him, over the coming months.

#1 Ciampa vs. Black begins

Will Gargano make himself a part of this feud too?
Will Gargano make himself a part of this feud too?

This is not the same Johnny Gargano we all know and love. The man who confronted Aleister Black backstage was a very different man, changed by what's happened to him. He warned Aleister Black that Ciampa could not become the next champion. Black cordially asked Gargano to let him handle things!

Except Black did not know how sadistic a man Ciampa can be. Ciampa attacked Black backstage, laying him out viciously. The feud is well and truly underway now.

Will Ciampa become the next NXT Champion? Will Gargano involve himself in this feud?

The coming weeks should provide a lot many answers.