As always, NXT came to us from Full Sail University, in Orlando, Florida. Much like last week, this too was an action packed show building to NXT Takeover in Toronto in mid-November. There were some new announcements which were made, and storylines did progress in a positive manner, all through the show.
It’s not the same star-studded roster from the time of The Four Horsewomen, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, American Alpha and Finn Balor anymore; but the current lot too pull no punches when it comes to delivering an entertaining show, week after week. So, let’s find out what happened this week on NXT, shall we?
#5 Samoa Joe’s reign of terror begins
Two weeks ago, Samoa Joe took out Shinsuke Nakamura and sent him to the hospital. When confronted by William Regal, Joe threatened consequences if the NXT title wasn’t handed back to him in the absence of the NXT Champion. Today, we saw the first glimpse of just how vicious Samoa Joe can be. The NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival were ready to take on Gabriel and Uriel Ealy, who were about to make their NXT debut.
But Samoa Joe rushed down the ramp and destroyed both these men. Joe legitimately looks like the toughest guy on any brand, with the exception of maybe Brock Lesnar (hint hint). In any case, we can’t wait for a rematch between The King of Strong Style and the Samoan Submission machine, which we assume will happen at NXT Takeover: Toronto in mid-November.
#4 An inevitable Asuka vs Ember Moon encounter seems imminent
Asuka is not merely one of the best female workers on NXT, but may just be one of the best wrestlers in the world, across both genders. On the other hand, Liv Morgan (from New Jersey, as Corey Graves constantly reminded us), one of the top female athletes in NXT at present, was made to look like an absolute jobber in front of Asuka.
Unless Ronda Rousey or Candice LeRae were to join the division in the near future, we see only one genuine threat to Asuka for her title. And that is Ember Moon, a woman who had a pretty good showing against Mandy Rose (note: Rose, despite her similarities to Eva Marie, seems like a pretty good worker).
Of course, her finisher is simply a thing of beauty as well, and we can see it over and over again. But you heard it here first- our prediction for NXT Takeover: Toronto- Asuka vs Ember Moon, for the NXT Women’s Championship.
#3 Paul Ellering finally broke his silence
If you thought Samoa Joe destroyed the Ealy twins, Akam and Rezar completely obliterated the team of Jesus Yurnet and Jonathan Cruz. The jobbers did not stand a chance, as the Authors of Pain wrote a brand new chapter in their book of mass destruction.
But that’s not the main story here. After the match, the manager of the tag team unit, Paul Ellering finally took the microphone and promised a ‘plethora of pain’. Ending his discourse with a prophetic and ominous- ‘that’s all you need to know’. We are very scared!
#2 The Austin Aries – Hideo Itami feud heats up
Hideo Itami was out of action for the longest time, because of the shoulder injury he suffered. But now he’s back in action, and he wants to make his opponents ‘Go To Sleep’. Today, Hideo put on a solid performance against Cruiserweight Classic competitor Lince Dorado.
But unfortunately, he had little time to celebrate, as he was attacked from behind by the greatest man who ever lived- Austin Aries. NXT Takeover: Toronto seems to be shaping up pretty, pretty well (we do hope this is a match saved for the Takeover special). Both these athletes need this match, and we’re sure both of them will deliver on the big stage.
#1 The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Tournament is happening again
This was the underlying theme of the entire show. The second edition of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament! We saw a new alliance being formed between the Glorious Bobby Roode and The Perfect 10 Tye Dillinger. We saw Ciampa and Gargano hungry to win the tournament as well (they may well be the favourites to do so).
Anyway, the action kicks off next week with the first match between the unlikely duo of Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas and Cedric Alexander, vs NXT Tag Team Champions ‘The Revival’. Along with the debut of Dan Matha next week, this match promises to make the show a must-watch episode.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
