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This week's episode of NXT 2.0 was dubbed "Ladies' Night," with multiple women's matches on the show. They delivered, for the most part.
Quite a few other happenings took place, with NXT continuing to build and focus on new stars. Bron Breakker is the standout so far, although more names will make big strides in the coming weeks. This truly feels like a different place, while the product has also gotten a lot edgier.
Also, with the WWE Draft approaching, further changes may be in order if a few NXT Superstars get called up to RAW and SmackDown. The extent of it remains to be seen, though.
Anyway, NXT rolled on with another solid episode. Here are the main positives and negatives from it. Let us know in the comments below if you disagree with them.
#3 Best/Worst: Io Shirai and Zoey Stark remain NXT Women's Tag Team Champions
When Mandy Rose's new group declared their intention to become NXT Women's Tag Team Champions, a title change felt like a given. Io Shirai and Zoey Stark's days as a team seemed numbered, especially with Superstars from the brand being eligible for main roster call-ups via the WWE Draft.
Shirai could have been free to move to RAW or SmackDown in the coming week, but she remains a Champion in NXT. She and Stark retained their Tag Team Titles against Gigi Dolin and Jacey Jane, following a solid in-ring contest.
Toxic Attraction looked good in defeat, while Io Shirai and Zoey Stark remain strong Champions. It does seem strange to see the former NXT Women's Champion stick around for so long, while she could be a huge asset on WWE's main roster instead.
Therefore, while the match was good, the outcome is a mixed bag. Hopefully, NXT has some good plans for Shirai following her and Stark's title reign. Toxic Attraction could have done well with the win here, given what happened at the end of the episode.
#2 Best: Non-PG humor works during InDex's honeymoon
InDex and The Way continue to be the most entertaining part of NXT. This week, the newly-married couple went on their honeymoon. The vignettes saw Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae join them from afar, with the former NXT Champion trying to look out for Indi Hartwell.
They were pretty entertaining, with Gargano showcasing his comedic side yet again. He managed to get into the couple's hotel room to ensure they had "protection," before being forced to hide in the closet when Hartwell and Lumis showed up.
The sequence did feature some non-PG gags, but Johnny Wrestling worked well in the setting. It ended with Dexter Lumis giving him a thumbs up. NXT 2.0, everybody.
#2 Worst: The NXT Tag Team Title promo train
While it is positive to see MSK's closest challengers be known, NXT could not have built its tag team division more lazily. The promo train is a tried and tested method of getting multiple acts on-screen at once, but the brand has used it far too many times recently.
The NXT Tag Team Champions were interrupted by The Grizzled Young Veterans, before Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams came out. They were then followed by Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen before the four teams began brawling.
We will get an eight-man tag team match next week, which should be entertaining. Regardless, this could have been booked better.
#1 Best: Is Mandy Rose the next NXT Women's Champion?
While Toxic Attraction did not win the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship, they made a huge impact before tonight's show ended. Raquel Gonzalez had just beaten Franky Monet in an intense contest to retain her title, before being jumped by the heel trio.
Mandy Rose has staked her claim for a shot at the NXT Women's Championship. She might even win it, based on how her group has been booked. Rose's new look indicates big plans for her on the brand, while her dynamic with Gigi Dolin and Jacey Janes is exactly how she debuted in WWE.
Rose was under the tutelage of Paige, as the two of them and Sonya Deville formed Absolution. She now leads her own faction - one that is likely to lead her to the NXT Women's Championship.
#1 Worst: Is Hit Row WWE main roster-bound?
There has been recent speculation regarding Hit Row's NXT status, with the WWE Draft looming. The group might move to RAW or SmackDown in the coming week. That would be a mistake, at least at the moment.
First off, B-Fab's No Disqualification Match against Elektra Lopez indicated she might need some more time on NXT. The female member of Hit Row isn't the finished article in the ring, as is the rest of the faction in terms of their trajectory on the brand.
Isaiah 'Swerve' Scott is yet to defend his NXT North American Championship against Santos Escobar, despite Hit Row and Legado del Fantasma feuding for a while. WWE should keep them on NXT for a while, with the story yet to conclude. The faction could debut on RAW by early 2022.
