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This week's edition of NXT was just as exciting as always, with two big title matches and one memorable segment to boot. As we count down the days to the grandest WWE pay-per-view of the year 2018- 'WrestleMania 34' and the TakeOver that will precede it, things are only getting more exciting week by week.
If you caught the episode, let us know what you thought about it in the comments below. Who are your favourite NXT performers? Which one of them will shine on the main roster?
Bear in mind that the NXT Superstars of today, could be the big stars of tomorrow. You're seeing a glimpse of excellence, long before it takes over the main roster.
Here are 5 points from this episode that particularly caught our eye...
#5 A face-off with massive implications
Aleister Black does not speak very often at all. Therefore, we were intrigued when we found out that he would be addressing the NXT Universe. Black is a pretty good promo and he delivered his message in a rather straightforward manner. He would be gunning for the NXT Championship, in the near future.
The address was interrupted by the 'Beast of Belfast', Killian Dain. Another man who does not speak often! Dain maintained that he had the same aspirations as Aleister Black. Moreover, he promised a tussle with chaos, if Black got in his way. Black retaliated with some words of his own, to Dain. Someday, these two warriors will clash!
We found it quite interesting that Dain is embarking on his own quests, and is not restrained by the collective aspirations of the SAnitY faction. He's clearly been the breakout star of the group (in addition to Nikki Cross, to a small extent), and he's finally getting his due as a performer.
Whenever this match does happen, it's certain to be quite the clash!
#4 An explosive match to start the show!
At a certain point during the opening contest, NXT's lead play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo asked colour commentator Nigel McGuinness if he was okay with an American holding the United Kingdom Championship. McGuinness responded almost immediately, saying that he was not!
The match between Pete Dunne and Roderick Strong was everything it promised to be. They took each other to the limit by delivering and countering moves, like the seasoned performers they both are. The match was an absolute delight to watch, for every NXT fan.
Pete Dunne would deliver the 'Bitter End' to win the match. Roderick Strong may have lost the match, but he had won the heart of everyone watching across the world.
Who couldn't want to see these two men in an encore performance, based on how just good their chemistry was?!?!
#3 Mowing through the division
Miller and Thorne missed out on some of NXT's most exciting days, owing to Shane Thorne's unfortunate injury. Once, they were the fiercest of opponents, but now that they're on the same page, they seem like a well-oiled unit.
This week, they took on two local opponents named Andrew Duckworth and John Skyler. TM61 made short work of them, and in doing so, put NXT's tag team division on notice. Now that War Machine is in NXT as well, the division looks quite promising. We cannot wait for TM61 to enter the Championship picture soon.
#2 An NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia rematch
We saw Shayna Baszler work on Ember Moon's arm for the duration of their highly exciting match at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. While Moon won the contest, she did not do so convincingly, picking up the win with a lucky roll-up.
This week, despite an early flurry of offense from Moon, Baszler seemed to have the upper hand, as she took Moon's arm apart. It was great psychology, considering how integral Moon's arm in when it comes to delivering her spectacular finisher- The Eclipse. Baszler seemed to have the match well in hand, as Moon screamed in agony.
It's clear that the Ember Moon-Shayna Baszler feud may be far from over, for now. It's great to see how quickly Baszler has not just learned, but learned to excel in professional wrestling.
#1 The Pirate Princess returns
Kairi Sane had been choked out by Shayna Baszler, only a few weeks ago. This was to write her off television, because of a real-life injury that she'd sustained. Much to the surprise of the NXT Universe, Sane made her return to NXT, this week. She did so, by interfering in the main event.
Sane and Baszler met in the finals of the Mae Young Classic. It's clear that their rivalry will continue on NXT as well. It is also clear that they are primed to fill up the massive void, left by Asuka's departure from NXT.
That concludes our NXT recap. We'll see you again in exactly a week, for more NXT action.
Until then, stay safe, folks!
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