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The final episode before NXT TakeOver 36 this Sunday was excellent. One could not ask for much more from a go-home show.
NXT used this week to boost anticipation for the upcoming event, which should be among the greatest TakeOvers in recent history. It is just a shame that it will be inside the Capitol Wrestling Center.
A card like this deserves a full arena, that had become the norm for NXT TakeOvers before the COVID-19 pandemic. Every match was enhanced as a result of this episode's developments, although NXT may have telegraphed an unfavorable outcome.
Anyway, even some of the non-TakeOver stories were well-told. One of them involved an engagement. This episode has set multiple things up for the future of the brand, whether or not it is subject to the radical changes proposed.
Anyway, let's take a look at the main positives and negatives from this week's episode of NXT. Give us your thoughts on the episode in the comments below. Also, which match on NXT TakeOver 36 are you looking forward to the most?
#3 Best: NXT's production team hits another couple of home runs
While quite a lot happened in the ring, NXT used the go-home episode to showcase two TakeOver feuds in backstage pieces.
The first one was a Prime Target video package for the 'Undisputed Finale' between Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly. It was masterfully produced, as always. The feud and its matches were made a bigger deal through this epic package.
There may be doubts over the extent of ridiculousness that Cole and O'Reilly will put each other through, but their story was told perfectly. The former NXT Champion also cut a brilliant promo during it, in what may prove to be his final appearance for the black and gold brand.
Meanwhile, Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai had a split-screen verbal back-and-forth about friendship, jealousy, and sidekicks. It served its purpose in making their feud a lot more personal. Also, the fact that they haven't got physical in the ring since Kai's betrayal makes their match at TakeOver 36 even more exciting.
#2 Best: Samoa Joe and Karrion Kross end NXT with an epic brawl
The final NXT segment before TakeOver 36 did not disappoint one bit. Samoa Joe and Karrion Kross successfully turned a corner with their story. The stain of the NXT Champion's run on WWE RAW has been wiped out, thanks to a vicious brawl between him and the Samoan Submission Machine.
Joe and Kross began fighting despite security getting in the way. The former US Champion even busted out a suicide dive, as both Superstars took each other out all around the Capitol Wrestling Center. This was a great preview to their hostile affair on Sunday, which should see Samoa Joe become NXT Champion.
Luckily, there aren't any more episodes of RAW to ruin Karrion Kross' momentum before TakeOver 36.
#2 Worst: Is the end here for WALTER's record-breaking reign?
NXT's build to the big match between WALTER and Ilja Dragunov has been counterproductive in multiple ways. First off, the challenger lost to Pete Dunne last week. Dragunov did defeat Roderick Strong in a hard-hitting contest tonight, but his night was not over.
As WALTER tried to help Imperium in their NXT Tag Team Championship match against MSK, Ilja Dragunov rushed to attack him. This ended badly for the Russian, who was flattened by WALTER. The way Dragunov has been booked recently may suggest a title change is on the way.
If that is the case, it would be a shame for such a monumental moment to happen in a limited place like the Capitol Wrestling Center. NXT should hold off on ending WALTER's reign until a full crowd is there to witness it.
#1 Best: InDex shines in the ring
One of the most interesting aspects of NXT this week was InDex and their chemistry. Following a successful date, Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis joined forces in mixed tag team action. They took on Jessi Kamea and Robert Stone in what was the perfect in-ring showcase for them.
Hartwell adopted Lumis' mannerisms during his entrance, including his signature crawl. The former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion won the match for her team, after locking in the Silence on Kamea. This was comedy wrestling at its very best.
#1 Worst: Did NXT jump the gun on the engagement?
While the chemistry between Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis was off the charts, NXT may have jumped the gun with what happened next. Hartwell went down on a knee and proposed to Lumis, to which he responded positively. So it looks like InDex is now engaged, merely two weeks after getting together.
After the relationship slowly came together over a few months, this next development feels pretty rushed. The engagement is unlike what NXT has been doing with the story so far. Perhaps it could have been fleshed out over a few more weeks.
Nevertheless, the fallout from this massive development between Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis will be entertaining.
