WWE NXT - Best & Worst - RAW star's ex-partner returns, WALTER confirms name change?

WALTER is no more. He is now Gunther.
WALTER is no more. He is now Gunther.

While we got some exciting developments this week, NXT had its problems. Several booking decisions on the show weren't the greatest, with one of them being particularly frustrating.

A few matches were impressive, though. This includes the first match of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The Creed Brothers won a hard-fought battle against Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen, while the other members of Diamond Mine also had high-profile matches.

Several title feuds progressed on NXT, as we are being promised some exciting action. Things are looking up in some places, while a few confusing choices have also been made.

Let's take a look at the main positives and negatives from this week's episode of NXT. Give us your thoughts on the show in the comments below.


#3 Best/Worst: WALTER Gunther wins a classic on NXT

The main event of this week's episode was excellent, as two brilliant in-ring workers went head to head. Now a permanent part of the brand, WALTER took on Roderick Strong in a hard-hitting affair.

Both men laid into each other, with strikes and chops. Strong hit a beautiful superplex and came close to winning. However, The Ring General stood tall after flattening him with a Powerbomb.

As a match, this was the best thing on the show. However, what happened after it has captured the attention of the wrestling world. Before WALTER could be announced as the winner, he grabbed the microphone and proclaimed the winner of the match to be "Gunther."

This falls in line with reports that WWE had trademarked the name "Gunther Stark" a few days ago. It was pointed out that this name has a problematic history, with Günther Stark being the name of a Nazi U-boat commander during World War II.

With WALTER supposedly getting a new name, it remains to be seen how much of his current presentation will remain the same. It is a shame that the former NXT UK Champion has to undergo this change when he has been one of the best wrestlers across all WWE brands in the last few years.

#2 Best: Grayson Waller gets an insurance policy on NXT

NXT kicked off with LA Knight calling Grayson Waller out, before being hit with a restraining order from him. This led to the former Million Dollar Champion setting up the return of Dexter Lumis, who appeared from under the ring to scare the Australian.

Lumis and Waller faced each other in a solid match but it did not have a clean finish, as would be a recurring theme throughout the night. Saurav from Indus Sher appeared from out of nowhere and attacked Dexter Lumis, allowing Grayson Waller to win with the Rolling Cutter.

It looks like the two of them are now aligned. This is an interesting development, furthering Waller as a hated figure. It is also funny that Veer Mahaan's old tag team partner has resurfaced on NXT before he could on RAW.


#2 Worst: Duke Hudson ruins Dante Chen's big return

As WWE's first Singaporean wrestler, Dante Chen has done himself proud. He looked to further his stock on his return from a knee injury. There even was an elaborate video package detailing his emotions regarding the same and his father passing away.

This looked to set up a strong win for Chen against Guru Raaj before he goes on to bigger and better things, but it wasn't to be. Duke Hudson made his own return and viciously assaulted him.

This could have been achieved after Dante Chen got the win, especially with his impressive performance during the match.

#1 Best: The NXT North American Title scene is hotting up

One of the biggest highlights of NXT was Tony D'Angelo's "funeral service" for Pete Dunne, who he defeated last week. It was an entertaining segment but got even better after the New York mobster declared his intentions to go after the North American Championship.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams interrupted D'Angelo before Cameron Grimes made his way out too. Everybody involved got time to shine on the microphone and this has led to an exciting scenario involving Melo's title.

D'Angelo will face Grimes next week, with the winner challenging for the North American Title. Carmelo Hayes could get involved to set up a triple threat, which gives these three men more screen time together. The match would also be fun. It is for the better.


#1 Worst: Mandy Rose's next challenger loses

WWE needs to do a better job at establishing title challengers. This is a problem that is widespread across the company, with NXT also being affected by it. Kay Lee Ray began a feud with Mandy Rose by thrashing a photoshoot set, but could not follow it up with a win.

She lost to Ivy Nile after the NXT Women's Champion distracted her. This is not the ideal outcome, as Kay Lee Ray should be winning on her way to a title shot against Rose.

If the goal was to protect Ivy Nile, KLR should have faced someone else and beaten them instead. These types of finishes take away from the intrigue of title matches on the show.

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