Top 3 NXT Performers of the Week (8th August 2018)

NXT continues to be one of WWE's best programs, with this week bringing out more developmental and enhancement talent to face some of NXT's finest performers. NXT continues to mix up the performers from week to week, which seems to keep audiences from getting fatigued from seeing the same superstars over and over again.

Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news.

This weeks episode started off with Nikki Cross facing former Impact talent Amber Nova in a fairly nondescript match. Many were hoping that after losing to Baszler that Cross would re-unite with Sanity on the Smackdown roster but that doesn't seem to be the case. The increasingly frustrated Kassius Ohno took on Brazilian Adrian Jaoude followed that, and Ohno wasted little time knocking out the Brazilain.

This was followed by the NXT tv debut of both Marcel Barthel and "Limitless" Keith Lee, Lee's win is unsurprising considering the introduction he received both at Takeover: Chicago and by the audience at the taping as well. In another average match, Taynara Conti defeated Vanessa Bourne to qualify for the Mae Young Classic 2. Finally, Johnny Gargano faced Aleister Black and unfortunately for those in attendance the match was called off early, after interference from NXT Champion Tomasso Ciampa.

Before we head into this week's rankings, here is a look at the current leaderboard.

Rankings

Tomasso Ciampa - 3 Points
Shayna Baszler - 2 Points
EC3 - 1 Point

#3 Keith Lee

Keith Lee's impressive NXT debut showed the NXT audience exactly why the WWE was so keen to sign the highflying big man.

In a match that showed Lee's gymnastic ability that conjured older fans memories back to other capable big men like Bam Bam Bigelow.

Lee's stunning Leapfrogs and Dropkick got over with the audience as well as Lee's strength and power.

Lee was also hyped up by the commentary team, which hopefully means that big things are in the future for the Limitless one in NXT.

#2 Aleister Black

Aleister Black continues to his incredible form at NXT since his debut. The strong striking Dutchman continued his rivalry with Gargano and Ciampa in this match.

While Black was slightly outshined by his opponent this week, Black's strikes continue to be fearsome and threatening.

The Dutchman only had a relatively short reign with the belt, but with his recent performances, he has a strong future in the WWE.

Despite being announced for the title match at Takeover: Brooklyn at the end of the episode, Black has subsequently suffered a legitimate injury which required surgery.

This forced WWE to release a video with Black kayfabe being attacked and knocked out in the parking lot as a way of writing Black out of the title fight.

#1 Johnny Gargano

Gargano continues his descent into madness during his match with Black. While the match was ruled a no contest after the interference of Tomasso Ciampa, Gargano was a shade better than the Dutch striking master.

Gargano managed to also get in some good offense against both Black and the interfering Ciampa.

With Gargano being entered into the Championship match for the NXT title at Takeover: Brooklyn, the main event match is undoubtedly the one to look for on an already stacked card.

While the current set up for the match is a singles match between former friends and tag team partners, rumors are starting to circulate that a third person may still be added to keep this fight feeling fresh after all,

Gargano v Ciampa has already headlined Takeover: New Orleans and Takeover: Chicago earlier this year.