This week, NXT came back to the University of Central Florida, only a few days removed from NXT Takeover: Orlando on Wrestlemania 33 weekend. The crowd was packed in, to witness NXT Champion Bobby Roode put his title up for grabs in his first glorious championship defence. That too, against the returning Kassius Ohno who’s made a heroic name for himself in the independents, pun intended. Did the show deliver? Did it disappoint? Why do we say that it was a show that was about the numbers? Read on.
#5 First 3 time NXT Champion?
The big news this week was the grand return of Kassius Ohno, who made his comeback to NXT amidst much fanfare. Going straight for the champion, we were treated to a very entertaining match between these two talented performers. For a man of his size (and girth), Kassius Ohno moves like a much smaller man (as we have seen time and again outside the WWE). After much back and forth, Roode would persevere and deliver the ‘Glorious DDT’ to pick up the big victory.
One fascinating cutaway during the match was to Shinsuke Nakamura who appeared to be watching the action from the back. As William Regal had stipulated, the winner of the Ohno-Roode contest battles the King of Strong Style at NXT Takeover: Orlando. Will Nakamura become the first ever 3-time NXT Champion very soon? Or is Bobby Roode slated to continue for the long haul while Nakamura gets called up to Raw/Smackdown?
One interesting thing to note is that NXT’s Tour to Download Festival advertises Bobby Roode and not Nakamura. Does this signify that Roode is going over Nakamura come NXT Takeover: Orlando?
#4 Six twisting neckbreakers
‘Never punch someone from Glasgow in the face’, proclaimed announcer Nigel McGuinness. Macey Estrella, who had school girl themed ring gear going on found this out the hard way. Not only did Nikki Cross deliver her finisher once to the blond bombshell, but a total of six times. It was great knowing you, lovely Miss Macey Estrella.
Is there anyone who lives her gimmick like Nikki Cross does, 24X7. It is quite clear that Cross has a wide array of moves, but she chooses to play the lunatic and make her offence seem totally unhinged. We do presume she will challenge the winner of the Asuka-Ember Moon contest in the program that follows NXT Takeover: Orlando. Her match was the setup for the next point, in our countdown.
#3 Four is greater than ‘Ten.'
Tye Dillinger never seems to catch a break, right? After losing match after match, he found himself in the crosshairs of SAnitY. ROH veteran Roderick Strong and Fiesta veteran No Way Jose allied themselves with him, to even the odds. Soon enough, Strong would find himself in a weak spot, as he was pummelled into dust by the insanely menacing faction!
This week, Tye Dillinger and No Way Jose sought retribution for their fallen comrade, only to fall to the might of SAnitY. Four against two is too much, especially if it involves a woman (who cannot be hit as per the rules of the ongoing PG era).
#2 Three big matches announced
The Ealy Twins have been named after angels, and they fell like angels to the might of the Authors of Pain. The match was only a set-up for a three-way tag team elimination contest at NXT Takeover: Orlando. The Revival will take on #DIY and the Authors of Pain in what should be a contender for match of the night. Did anyone notice how ‘The Revival’ got a babyface reaction in this episode?
Based on a backstage altercation, Oney Lorcan will also take on Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas next week. Also, No Way Jose, Roderick Strong and Tye Dillinger will unite to battle the forces of evil known as SAnitY in an enormous 6-man tag team contest next week on NXT. Stoked!
#1 Two new forces are coming to NXT!
Those of you who follow independent wrestling know him as Tommy End. Those who don’t are in for a treat, in just a few weeks. He’s been billed as the next CM Punk of the WWE.
Also read: Has WWE found CM Punk's replacement?
Tommy End will wrestle as Aleister Black for NXT. A skilled kickboxer, this big man infuses his striking ability into his professional wrestling style and is a force like WWE has never seen before. If you saw him wrestle against Neville in the WWE UK Tournament, you know what we are talking about.
We saw Tucker Knight and Otis Dozovic in action as Heavy Machinery against Austin Aries and Roderick Strong in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament. Boy, did they impress? The good news...they're coming to NXT as well, soon!
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