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The fallout episode of NXT after TakeOver: In Your House delivered several remarkable developments.
Besides the monumental return of Samoa Joe, the show had a lot to offer. NXT followed up from a strong TakeOver with a reset in multiple areas. That being said, a few feuds from the event will continue.
The build to NXT's next special, The Great American Bash, also began this week. Meanwhile, fans got to see a title match, the start of a possible tag team feud, and the end of another one. All the while, the in-ring action, as always, was solid.
Tuesday's show was a great episode for the black-and-gold brand. It was set up to be a standout showing, following the cliffhanger involving William Regal at the end of TakeOver: In Your House. The good definitely outweighed the bad, but it wasn't a perfect show. Here are the main positives and negatives of this week's episode of WWE NXT.
#1 Best: Samoa Joe is back in NXT alongside William Regal
NXT kicked off with an electric segment. Following the recent backstage chaos at the Capitol Wrestling Center, William Regal was prepared to resign as NXT's general manager. He cut a heartfelt promo about the evolution of the brand, and he was visibly emotional before Karrion Kross interrupted him.
The NXT Champion insulted Regal and urged him to quit in front of him and Scarlett. Before that could happen, Samoa Joe made his exciting return. He was the chosen replacement for William Regal, but he had an interesting alternative proposal for the seemingly outgoing general manager.
Joe stared down Kross while offering Regal his help as an enforcer of sorts. In this role, he'll do his best to keep the peace on NXT. If he isn't cleared to compete, this spot is the ideal use for him. He's intimidating figure who commands respect, not only for himself but for Mr. Regal as well.
As fans saw later in the show, Samoa Joe can get physical. As he was attempting to separate a brawl between Kyle O'Reilly and Adam Cole, the latter pushed him.
The two-time NXT Champion responded by locking Cole in the Coquina Clutch and putting him to sleep. Joe proceeded to have mini-confrontations with Johnny Gargano and Pete Dunne, teasing a number of potential opponents for his potential return to the ring.
This arrangement has completely freshened up NXT in terms of its management. Even though Regal was still doing well as the authority figure, Samoa Joe is a fantastic addition alongside him. Until he wrestles again, fans can enjoy him in this role, and his return is off to a great start.
#1 Worst: The Grizzled Young Veterans lose yet again on NXT
First off, it must be said that the tornado tag team match that closed NXT was excellent. Both teams brought their absolute best, but the wrong team won.
The Grizzled Young Veterans are a well-oiled machine, and they should be much more successful in NXT's tag team division than they currently are. They always compete in big matches, as they made it to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Final two years in a row.
But since the end of their NXT UK Tag Title reign in 2019, they don't get the job done anymore. Zack Gibson and James Drake needed the boost of defeating Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher again. This victory could have led to a match against MSK for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
The action in this match was all over the place. It was chaotic in a good way, as it served as the perfect feud-ender between the two teams. It now looks like Ciampa and Thatcher are next in line for an opportunity at the NXT Tag Team Championship. What will a potential match between this duo and MSK look like?
Unfortunately, this loss leaves GYV in the dust. Gibson and Drake are remarkably talented, with this week's contest seeming like theirs to win. They really should be the next NXT Tag Team Champions. Instead, the duo will now have to try to bounce back after yet another loss.
#2 Best: NXT Cruiserweight Champion KUSHIDA continues to impress
A lot of things on NXT have been built up with minimum difficulty, and KUSHIDA is one of them. He continues to impress as the Cruiserweight Champion, as he conducted another open challenge on this week's episode. Trey Baxter, formerly known as Blake Christian, answered the call.
The ex-IMPACT Wrestling star had a superb showing in his NXT debut; he truly tested KUSHIDA, and his smooth in-ring skills were undeniable. The Cruiserweight Champion eventually staved off some tough competition from Baxter to retain his title in a match that was a pretty solid outing for both men
Kyle O'Reilly came out during this match to scout potential opponents for his match on next week's episode of NXT. After the bout, he challenged KUSHIDA to a non-title contest. This development is an extension of the solid run the former New Japan Pro-Wrestling sensation has enjoyed recently.
O'Reilly will likely win this clash, as a rematch with Adam Cole is looming; they'll face off again at The Great American Bash in three weeks. But this kind of spotlight would only benefit KUSHIDA and the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. With another stunning performance, his reign is proving to be a subtle hit on the black-and-gold brand.
#2 Worst: RAW and SmackDown need Mercedes Martinez more than NXT does
This point isn't particularly a slight on NXT, but rather a criticism of WWE's handling of the women's division as a whole.
After Xia Li defeated Mercedes Martinez at NXT TakeOver: In Your House, it seemed like the latter was finished with the black-and-gold brand. But she's not done yet, as Martinez cut a promo on Mei Ying on Tuesday. The mysterious figure left Martinez down and out at TakeOver.
Though Martinez will remain in NXT for the moment, RAW and SmackDown could both use a veteran like Mercedes Martinez among their ranks. WWE's main roster needs more women, especially after a good number of them were released in the past few months. Both brands would surely benefit with fresh faces in the women's division.
Likewise, Io Shirai looks to be staying in NXT for a while, with a feud against NXT Women's Tag Team Champions Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell on the horizon. Besides her, Mercedes Martinez seemed likely to move to the WWE main roster in order to fill the gaps.
But RAW and SmackDown might need to wait longer for more women from NXT. Piper Niven's debut on Monday was a step in the right direction, but the blue brand remains fairly bare. There are only seven active women on SmackDown's female roster, with an urgent need for more. For this reason, the decision to keep Martinez in NXT is somewhat questionable.
#3 Best: LA Knight attacks Ted DiBiase on NXT
Continuing with the fallout of NXT TakeOver: In Your House, LA Knight celebrated his Million Dollar Championship victory at the event. He defeated Cameron Grimes in an incredible ladder match to win the title. On this week's episode of NXT, Ted DiBiase personally handed him the gold.
Knight cut a heartfelt promo to The Million Dollar Man, in which he stated how it was an honor to meet his idol. But once he received the title, he attacked DiBiase. This twist was a masterstroke in getting even more heel heat for Knight on top of his feud with Cameron Grimes.
Speaking of Grimes, the newly turned babyface ran LA Knight out of the ring to save the WWE Hall of Famer. The rivalry between the stars has intensified, as they're no longer simply fighting for DiBiase's endorsement.
Regardless of DiBiase's future on NXT, there is enough substance to potentially stretch this storyline until the next TakeOver. Grimes was ridiculously over at the Capitol Wrestling Center on Tuesday, and his Million Dollar Championship chase will be a fun ride. The pop when he eventually wins it will be massive.
What did you think of this week's episode of NXT? Let us know by sounding off in the comments below.
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