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This week's episode of NXT was typically solid, with a perfect mix of good wrestling and progressive storytelling.
We saw a couple of fun matches, including a colossal title change. A few major developments also ensued, which could have major implications down the line. NXT did a great job in building next week's episode, which will feature a big rematch between Karrion Kross and Finn Balor for the NXT Championship.
The black and gold brand has tremendous momentum as we approach the final weeks before NXT TakeOver: In Your House. A few seeds have been planted for matches at the event tonight, as we will see. Anyway, most of the card is a mystery at the moment. One which will be gradually unturned in the coming weeks.
For now, let's look at the biggest positives and negatives of this week's episode of WWE NXT. What did you think of the show? Sound off in the comments section.
#1 Best: NXT makes a huge deal of Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor II
It may not have been the greatest idea to book an NXT Championship match a few weeks before TakeOver: In Your House, but the promotion for it has been great. We saw a prime target video package for next week's title rematch between Karrion Kross and Finn Balor.
As usual, WWE's production team delivered spectacularly. But it was the people who were a part of the promo that made it so good. NXT analyst Jimmy Smith offered his insights on Balor vs. Kross from TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, before a couple of names from SmackDown also spoke on the upcoming contest.
Pat McAfee, a commentator on the blue brand and former NXT in-ring competitor, called next week's rematch a "dream come true." But that was not it. Finn Balor and Karrion Kross were both massively enhanced thanks to the words of Paul Heyman. The two of them have apparently gotten Roman Reigns' attention.
The special counsel put them over, stating that even Reigns has his eye on this NXT Championship match. There can be no bigger endorsement among current WWE talents than that. Whether this leads to a potential feud for The Tribal Chief with either Balor or Kross remains to be seen.
But the fact that Reigns was interested in Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor II instantly makes us want to see it. NXT did a fantastic job in building on next week's big title rematch, with Paul Heyman's involvement in the prime target being a nice touch.
#1 Worst: No NXT Women's Championship match at TakeOver: In Your House?
It may have been a throwaway backstage interview simply to get the NXT Women's Champion on the show, but Raquel Gonzalez may have implied that she won't be defending her title at TakeOver: In Your House next month.
She put her gold on the line against Mercedes Martinez last week on NXT, but it would be a shame not to have a Championship match at the upcoming TakeOver.
Gonzalez mentioned that she and Dakota Kai are focused on winning back the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships.
The lack of teams in the division makes this a real possibility, with Gonzalez and Kai laying out the challenge for Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell.
They will have to take on Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart first on NXT next week. The Way may end up interfering in the No.1 Contender's match though, setting up a triple threat for their Women's Tag Titles.
It would be a shame not to have a NXT Women's Title match at the second In Your House-themed TakeOver, after Io Shirai's victory over Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley stole the show at last year's event. Nevertheless, the potential triple threat tag team match would be a solid substitute.
#2 Best: Alexander Wolfe is kicked out of Imperium on NXT
Former teammates clashed on NXT this week as Killian Dain took on Alexander Wolfe in a short but impactful match. The Northern Irishman picked up the victory over his former SAnitY partner after Wolfe was slow to react to an opening to use a steel chair.
This proved to be costly for Wolfe as he lost his place in Imperium. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel ended up attacking him after the match, kicking him out of the stable. This is an interesting development with several intriguing factors around it.
Will Alexander Wolfe be replaced in Imperium? If yes, who will it be? What does WALTER have to say about this? The NXT United Kingdom Champion's reaction is sure to be noteworthy.
Dain and Wolfe could also potentially reunite amidst this shake-up to Imperium. We could get some fun multi-man tag team action as a result, especially if a new member joins the European stable. Timothy Thatcher would be the perfect choice, even if his tag team with Tommaso Ciampa would need to be sacrificed for this.
#2 Worst: What is the endgame for Pete Dunne on NXT?
Pete Dunne had a sitdown interview on NXT this week, with him essentially calling out every Champion on the black and gold brand. The Bruiserweight could go after any one of them, but what would be his end game?
NXT is getting more and more crowded, which would limit the potential for Dunne to truly go on a run. Many superstars are in the mix for a title shot as well, so it is difficult to see where he fits in. Dunne doesn't really have a lot left to do in NXT.
Sure, he will face Bobby Fish next week. But what happens beyond that? His union with Oney Lorcan is petering out, with Danny Burch out injured and Pat McAfee on SmackDown.
Pete Dunne has unsuccessfully challenged for the NXT Championship multiple times and is unlikely to win the belt at this time.
The Bruiserweight may go after either the North American or Cruiserweight Championship, but he can do better. Perhaps, it's time for him to leave NXT. Pete Dunne's intense in-ring skills could make him a success on RAW or SmackDown, provided WWE gets behind him.
#3 Best/Worst: Bronson Reed ends Johnny Gargano's reign as NXT North American Champion
The main event of NXT saw Bronson Reed defeat Johnny Gargano in a Steel Cage Match to become the new North American Champion. It was a great match, featuring some excellent spots assisted by the cage. Reed looked great in victory, showcasing his powerful offense.
The Australian heavyweight truly delivered opposite Johnny Wrestling, who had a typically stellar showing. Austin Theory tried to help his mentor, but couldn't do so. Reed put Gargano away with a couple of Tsunami splashes to pick up the victory.
He was visibly emotional afterward, with the title win coming exactly 14 years after his first professional wrestling match.
NXT ended with a heartwarming moment, but it's a shame that it had to come at the expense of the best Champion in NXT. Johnny Gargano had a fantastic North American Title reign, both in the ring and as a character.
He could have had more such stellar matches for the title before eventually dropping it, while NXT could have gotten more out of The Way holding gold at the same time.
They never once appeared on the program as champions together, with Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell enjoying a day at the spa.
Well, at least InDex is still alive.
