-So, what did everyone think of Elio LeFleur’s debut this week on NXT??? My guys! The French Luchadore. What a gimmick. LeFleur’s presentation was strong, the match quality was good, but yikes, the booking was rough. On one hand LeFleur got a very nice spot to start his NXT career opposite Ethan Page in an NXT North American Championship match. Thumbs up. On the other? He lost already. Yeah, he was protected and Page cheated, but he still didn’t win. Of course, what happens next is what happens next, but it’s always better to have the book on your side early in a run.
A Booker T call out
-Man, Booker T called out Josh Briggs during his match with Shiloh Hill this week. Basically, Booker put Briggs on blast for being too close to the cut line when it comes to talent cuts after WrestleMania. Ice cold. He isn’t the wrong, though. Briggs continues to just kind of be there. He isn’t bad, but he’s still not clicking with a specific character that fans can get behind.
-As for Hill, he’s got a strong presence and that has carried his work thus far. At the same time, he needs more context. Why the weirdness? Why the style? Why the dynamic? Hill got a nice win and he is going to be a part of a huge ladder match in a couple weeks. It’s time to start building on the foundation he’s started.
-I’m intrigued by the Tony D’Angelo storyline. It was nice to see him continue destruction this week and clearly not be aligned with anyone one way or another. At some point, he’ll need to put context around that, but this week was not the time. When D’Angelo speaks — and eventually he will — it’s going to matter.
Young workhorses
-The Vanity Project is a helluva team for NXT to have at this point. We don’t know the range that the group has in the ring, but they have consistently shown an ability to be disliked. Strong heels for that show. They have the skill to get heat opposite any babyface and inside of any story. Very versatile.
-Ok, Jaida Parker had a better promo this week than Izzi Dame had last week. Good for her on that. She was more charismatic and more comfortable playing off of what the crowd was giving her. BUT. She still had similar issues to Dame. Both sounded overly scripted, wordy, and like they were reading something. These talents have to recognize that they are in front of an audience and use that energy to their advantage more often than they do.
Carter’s big push
-Keanu Carter is getting a really nice push right now. Because of being a loose cannon in promos and physicality, there is a perception of danger around him. Big time charisma with Carter and the anti-authority attitude could take him a long way.
-Sean Legacy and Eli Knight was serviceable. Hell, it was good. The thing is, there isn’t enough of a difference between Legacy and The Vanity Project. They are awfully similar, but Legacy is supposed to be a tried and true babyface. He needs to tap into something that will make him stand out in that way.
Pull the plug
-Fun main event. Zaria and Sol Ruca were at the center of the story and their cohesiveness and lack thereof was on display. They figured it out and eventually won the match and now will challenge for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships. The action was strong in this and the other teams played their role well to get the Ruca and Zaria stuff over. Zaria and Ruca are going to be top singles stars and this partnership has greased the skids for a long feud between both women. That said, they captured an authentic friendship poorly during the match. It continues to feel like both are in an abusive relationship that they don’t want to be in. Pulling the plug sooner than later and at the precise right time is key to both of their futures. They have to work against one another soon.
What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE NXT. Let us know in the comments!
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