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This week’s episode of NXT consisted of matches that took place before NXT TakeOver: Chicago. We finally got the debut of the Velveteen Dream as well as the match between Drew McIntyre and Wesley Blake. Let’s head straight to the results.
Aleister Black vs Curt Hawkins
NXT kicked off with Aleister Black taking on the man with the facts, Curt Hawkins. Would this match last longer than the last time these two met in London?
Black went on the offensive immediately, taking Hawkins down with a vicious knee to the midsection. Hawkins looked to fight back with a suplex but Black replied with a kick across the chest. He then headed to the top rope but Hawkins avoided his offence. Black recovered and hit Hawkins with a jumping knee strike.
Hawkins had had enough by now and he started a game of cat and mouse as he ran from Black, before taking the opportune moment to drive Black back-first into the apron. He followed it up with a chin lock inside the ring but couldn’t contain Black for long.
Black replied with two high-kicks to the chest and followed it up with a springboard moonsault. When Hawkins got back to his feet, he followed it up with a Black Mask to end this match in under 3 minutes.
Aleister Black def. Curt Hawkins
Velveteen Dream vs Robert Anthony
Patrick Clark made his NXT debut under his Velveteen Dream persona for the first time as he faced Robert Anthony.
He received a mixed reaction of sorts from fans when the match began as he rained down right hands on Anthony in the corner and followed it up with a Lou Thesz press.
Dream continued his assault in the corner with more right hands before reversing an Irish Whip by leaping off the top rope and hitting a flying clothesline. He followed it up with a neckbreaker before heading to the top rope and hitting a flying elbow drop to pin Robert Anthony.
I’m not sure if this gimmick will work in the long run by Patrick Clark is definitely giving it his all.
Velveteen Dream def. Robert Anthony
Drew McIntyre vs Wesley Blake
Drew McIntyre was challenged by Wesley Blake last week on NXT when Blake felt that McIntyre had taken the opportunity that he deserved. Blake followed McIntyre out tonight, coming out to a new theme song.
Blake and McIntyre locked up as the bell rang, with McIntyre immediately overpowering the former NXT Tag-Team Champion. Blake then drove McIntyre into the corner and hit him with a chop. McIntyre simply replied with a massive boot to Blake’s face.
Blake returned the favour with right hands and knees in the corner but McIntyre Launched Blake across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex. Blake got on the apron and pulled McIntyre’s arm down into the top rope to take control as we headed for a break.
Blake used a distraction from the referee to launch himself at McIntyre from the top rope which he transitioned into an armbar. Thankfully for the big Scotsman, he reached the ropes to break up the hold. Blake continued to work on McIntyre’s arm but the Scotsman continued to hit back with knife-edged chops.
Blake drove McIntyre into the corner turnbuckle but Drew replied with a massive boot and followed it up with a single axe-handle from the top rope. He followed it up with a sitout powerbomb but Blake kicked out.
Blake hit back by driving McIntyre into the steel ring post and followed it up with a cover for a nearfall. He followed it up with a Crossface but the Scotsman freed himself and planted Blake face-first into the mat with a reverse Alabama Slam for the nearfall. As McIntyre looked to finish Blake off, the Texan hit an armbreaker as he continued to work on McIntyre’s arm.
Blake headed to the top rope as he looked to take advantage but McIntyre got back to his feet and met Blake on the turnbuckle. Drew lost his footing and crashing into the turnbuckle but quickly recovered and launched Blake off the top-rope.
Drew followed it up with a brutal headbutt and followed it up with the single-leg Yakuza kick for the win.
Drew McIntyre def. Wesley Blake
