While we are technically two weeks removed from NXT Takeover: Chicago, last week’s episode had been filmed at the Allstate Arena and did not really move any storylines along. This was the first episode of a brand, or grand, or ‘glorious’ new era, if you will, and we witnessed a promising start to the new season until the next Takeover special comes along.
There were enough developments in this episode to warrant a thumbs up rating from us – beginning with a brand new theme song, and culminating in a huge return to close the show, this was a really cool episode of the yellow brand.
Without further ado, we bring you 5 points to note from NXT!
#5 A big return evened the numbers
Roderick Strong and Kassius Ohno teamed up to take on Eric Young and Alexander Wolfe from SAnitY in the main event of the evening. Killian Dain was on the outside, keeping a close watch and even interfering in the match to tip the odds in favour of the heels in this big match.
Every time the babyfaces would gain control, the numbers game would catch up with them, as has been the case with SAnitY from the very start. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, No Way Jose made his triumphant return to NXT.
If you remember, No Way Jose was taken out on Wrestlemania weekend by SAnitY right before his big match at NXT Takeover: Orlando, and he had to be replaced by the very talented Kassius Ohno. This time, he helped the faces take out SAnitY and even the odds.
It will be very interesting to see what the long-term plan for No Way Jose is, moving forward. Will he dominate the mid card or maybe even form a tag team to challenge The Authors of Pain, considering the lack of tag teams in NXT.
#4 Ember Moon got medically cleared
Ember Moon watched from the sidelines at NXT Takeover: Chicago as Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot took on the undefeated Asuka for her NXT Women's Championship and failed in the process. This week, we saw her video-bomb Billie Kay and Peyton Royce and was medically cleared to compete one more time.
While she won't be a part of the NXT Takeover Chicago rematch that happens soon, we think she's certain to be in the title mix heading into the next phase of NXT programming.
Ember Moon feels like the only credible threat to Asuka at this moment, and we’re certain if they do collide again, the match will be off the charts.
#3 Defeated, but absolutely unconcerned
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas certainly is one of the better workers in NXT, if not the world, and so we're certainly curious about the long term impact of him losing to enhancement talent on televised matches during the actual show.
This week he took on Cezar Bononi and lost to a roll up pin in the ring even while the announcers spoke about his nightclubbing and partying ways. It's clear that this storyline is headed somewhere, but for now, all we saw was Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas headed to the back, unconcerned by the crippling loss.
Now, that’s the opposite of being a sore loser.
#2 Going heel and turning face soon after?
Hideo Itami in a parking lot is always a scary sight. NXT viewers probably remember him laid out in the middle of a parking lot, following his first injury angle. We saw him in the aftermath of his NXT Title match to Bobby Roode at Chicago, almost teasing a heel turn and dropping items in the babyface dressing room, getting in the face of Kassius Ohno and Oney Lorcan.
What long term effects will this change of behaviour have on the NXT landscape in the months to come?
We predict a Kassius Ohno vs. Hideo Itami program, moving forward.
#1 The champion parties without us!
Last week, we were promised ‘Glorious Celebrations’ on NXT. Unfortunately, Bobby Roode informed us that we were not invited to his celebrations. Fear not, Roode fans, the champion will be back in all his glory (no pun intended) next week, on NXT.
Will we see him being confronted by Drew McIntyre? Maybe even Kassius Ohno? How about Roderick Strong then? Aleister Black seems like an interesting choice for the top contender as well, at this moment.
Exciting times await us here at NXT. Stay tuned until next week, for more points to note from the ‘glorious’ episode.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
