Top 3 NXT performers of the week - 15 August 2018

This weeks episode of WWE NXT was the takeaway show heading into Takeover: Brooklyn 4. The NXT Universe was rocked by scenes of Aleister Black being found knocked out in the parking lot. The start of this week's episode also had a tribute to Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.

The first match of the evening saw The Street Profits take on The Mighty. The Mighty sought revenge on The Street Profits who came into the audience during The Mighty's match with Heavy Machinery.

The Mighty wrestle a similar style to The Revival these days, and the Street Profits have a very New Day vibe to them. The Street Profits would get the win following a roll-up pin with Montez Ford grabbing a handful of tights.

Next saw Kairi Sane warm up for her Takeover: Brooklyn match against Shayna Baszler by facing Aaliyah. Sane hit 3 Insane Elbows but failed to win the match via pinfall, instead Sane locked in The Anchor for the submission victory.

Velveteen appeared in front of the crowd to hype up his match against EC3 after their confrontation at Dream's home. EC3 came out to interject The Dream's promo, and the two traded barbs. EC3 would hit The One Percenter to stand tall heading into Takeover.

The NXT also has built a story around the attack on Aleister Black, with a "whodunnit" style video showing the superstars near the car park where Black was attacked. Finally, the main event had former UK Champion Tyler Bate going up against Undisputed Era's Roderick Strong.

A look at the standings so far show the table as follows:

#1 Tommaso Ciampa - 3 points

#2 Johnny Gargano - 3 points

#3 Aleister Black - 2 points

#4 Shayna Baszler - 2 points

#5 EC3 - 1 point

#6 Keith Lee - 1 point

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#3 Roderick Strong

Roderick Strong

Despite being on the losing end against Tyler Bate, Strong has been incredibly good in the ring since turning on his partner and allying with the Undisputed Era back in April at Takeover: New Orleans.

Strong put in a great show against The Young Gun, and even looked poised to win the fight at points, hitting several of his patented Backbreakers, and blocking one of Bate's Rolling Wheel Kick.

Although Strong didn't quite pick up the victory in this match, he'll look to get revenge at Takeover: Brooklyn in their tag match.

#2 Kairi Sane

This week the winner of the Inaugural Mae Young Classic faced off against Aliyah. Sane was jumped from behind by her opponent at the start of the match, due to the appearance of her Takeover: Brooklyn opponent - Shayna Baszler.

Sane managed to rally back, delivering a sequence of Corner Clothesline and In-Sane Elbow. Sane locked in The Anchor which forced Aliyah to tap out.

Sane's performances have felt a bit "samey" of late, with Sane using the combination of corner clothesline and In-Sane elbow to finish off matches.

Sane actually made this one feel different, hitting three consecutive In-Sane Elbows, picking up Aliyah to break the 3 count when she had the fight won, and using The Anchor to finish the match when she could have pinned her opponent for the three count to win anyway.

This was a darker side to Sane than we had previously seen, and seeing as she's going into her Takeover match against Baszler tied at 1 a piece, this could be another gear that could see Sane win her first title in NXT.

#1Tyler Bate

One half of Mustache Mountain and former WWE UK Champion - Tyler Bate, had an impressive main event match against Roderick Strong. Bate has been incredible since he first participated in the UK Championship tournament in Blackpool just under 2 years ago.

From his feud with Pete Dunne to his tag team accomplishments with Trent Seven, Bate has been knocking it out of the park on a regular basis.

This week his competition was similarly ringmaster - Roderick Strong. The fact that Bate at the tender age of 21 is able to wrestle at the levels of Roderick Strong, Adam Cole and others who are older than him, is a true testament to his ability and his potential.