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If you read my recap of both RAW and SmackDown Live, you'll know that I thought that the shows were pretty average. The latter was better than the former. As is the case every week, I was looking forward to this week's edition of WWE NXT. But a few things surprised me.
Firstly, the show was a lot shorter than usual, clocking in at only 47 minutes as opposed to the usual hour. Secondly, not much of consequence actually happened during the show, except for maybe KUSHIDA's debut. It was as filler as an episode of NXT can actually be.
But that said, I wouldn't go so far as to say that it was a waste of my time. That it certainly was not.
Here are 5 things that I found worth noting from the show.
#5 The Forgotten Sons are getting a massive push
The proceedings on NXT this week began with a power packed contest pitting the Forgotten Sons against the alliance of Oney Lorcan, Danny Burch, and Humberto Carillo. It was a very fast and furious match as one would expect and the crowd was into the action, not surprisingly. Unfortunately, the babyfaces would not stand a chance against the heels.
There was a great moment during the contest in which Danny Burch was the clear underdog, being surrounded on all three sides by The Forgotten Sons. He fought them off much to the delight of the audience. I love how NXT tells mini stories during the matches they put on, even if they are standard exhibition contests.
I wonder what the plans are for The Forgotten Sons, in the weeks to follow. As they ascend up the ranks with every opportunity, will they taste gold in due time?
#4 Roderick Strong can't take a joke
So, last week Roderick Strong took on Johnny Gargano in the main event match. The two men put on an incredible contest until The Undisputed ERA interfered to help their boy out. This week, we saw the group reunited once again in the backstage area talking about their future plans.
But then Adam Cole would make a joke about Roderick Strong dropping the ball and not surprisingly, it would rub the latter the wrong way. There has been dissension and discontent in the Undisputed ERA for a very long time now and the cracks are finally beginning to show in full force. Is it leading to a clash between Strong and Cole for the leadership of the quartet in due time?
I'd be okay with that move. Imagine the quality of the matches.
#3 Velveteen Dream sings a song
The Velveteen Dream has been in Dominik Dijavokic's crosshairs for a very long time now. The big man has had his sights on the NXT North American Championship for some time and has also made his intentions known to the WWE Universe.
So, after a pretty 50-50 match (very surprisingly) with Mansoor, when we heard The Velveteen Dream's music hit, we knew that we were in for a treat. The Velveteen Dream then performed his own version of the American National Anthem, to get into the mind and the head of Dominik Dijakovic.
What I found especially funny is that while we talk about how The Velveteen Dream is so much like Prince, there's a big difference in their singing ability. Let's just say that The Velveteen Dream may look like Prince, he doesn't sound like him really.
This should be a fun feud for sure!
#2 Big match set for next week's show
The NXT Women's Division is at a very unique point at the moment. One the one hand you have someone like Shayna Baszler who is far and away the strongest character in the brand. On the other hand, you have a whole bunch of women, not nearly as established, who are nipping at her heels.
Two of these women, Mia Yim and Bianca Belair will take each other on next week. The two of them have been impressive ever since they've come to NXT but have just been one step away from becoming top stars themselves. Well, they have a chance to prove just how good they are when they go into battle on next week's show.
Will the Horsewomen invade this match and bring it to an untimely end, as they are known to do? I wouldn't really be surprised if they do so!
#1 Kushida makes his debut
I've followed Kushida's career for a while now and I'm glad to see that he has finally arrived in NXT after making a name for himself in Japan. The former NJPW megastar would take on Kassius Ohno, who wished to take out yet another one of William Regal's shiny new toys, as he has attempted several times.
And much like always, he came up short on this occasion as well. Kushida had an impressive showing although the disparity in size between the two men made me wonder if this momentum will continue over the long haul.
Except for Asuka and to an extent, Shinsuke Nakamura, very few Japanese superstars have found any level of success in WWE in the current era. Kushida does not have the size and the look that WWE is known to like, and so I wonder if he will be a standout performer or not.
Best of luck to him!
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