-You know, Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice have quietly had one of the more entertaining feuds on NXT television in recent weeks. This week they had a good match that was worthy of the feud. Both women were hard-hitting and more than ever before, Vice looked like she was fighting someone else and not simply dancing around the ring. Jordan still is a natural babyface, but she’s learning as a heel. This was her best match yet in the heel role and it’s not all that close.
Hendry dropped the schtick
-I’m not a huge fan of the Joe Hendry schtick, but at least he knows when to turn it on and off. After getting beat up by Ricky Saints last week and attacking him this week, it was refreshing to see Hendry ditch the full entrance in order to tell a better story. Yes, it would have gotten a pop, but it also would have undercut the narrative.
-As far as the back and forth promo between Saints and Hendry? It was better than expected. Saints was good in his role, so the question was about Hendry. He showed some strong fire as a babyface. Hendry vs. Saints for the NXT Championship is set for Vengeance Day. Low expectations for that one, but it’s the one championship match that makes sense for Hendry at this point.
-The Culling is the weirdest faction in all of wrestling. There is very little chemistry between the three members and it’s really a one act show with Izzi Dame. The thing is, she doesn’t need them and has kind of outgrown them already.
-I can get behind Tony D’Angelo hunting down members of DarkState each week. He’s going to continue to get over doing that. I like the new D’Angelo attitude, but the character is still searching for something.
It’s Vanity Project Time
-Put the NXT Tag Team Championships on The Vanity Project. It’s time. They are the best team the roster has and can get legit heel heat. Being coached by Ethan Page is icing on the cake.
-Ok, so I liked the promo exchange between Sol Ruca and Jacy Jayne this week. Jayne held her own better than Ruca did and there is still a tone to Ruca’s promos that is unlikable. She’s more of a white meat babyface than NXT is portraying her right now and it doesn’t seem like her natural personality.
-As for the ongoing Zaruca storyline? As of this week, they are on the same page. For now. Yes, Zaria helped defend Ruca from a Jacy Jayne led beating, but it’s a red herring. With Ruca getting a championship match next week, I’d expect the full Zaria heel turn to take place then. Not only does she cost Ruca the title, but she leaves her in a heap in the ring.
Excuse me?
-Blake Monroe is getting NXT Speed Championship opportunities? Uh oh. Monroe has plenty of upside for WWE, but if this booking is any indication, they don’t see it that way right now.
-Nothing about the new Birthright faction is all that compelling at this point. It’s like all the castoffs that wouldn’t make the Legacy faction from all those years ago. They’ve adopted the Lexis King vibe and that’s not great for it’s long term potential.
-Shiloh Hill vs. Ethan Page for NXT North American Championship in the main event was what it was. Hill is impressive with plenty of upside.
Messy
-After the match, Myles Borne beat up and threatened Page until he gave him a championship match. All good on that front, but Borne is not the guy that should be going back on his word and injuring Page’s leg with a chair after he got what he wanted from him. That’s not babyface material and it’s certainly not Borne babyface material. It in no way makes sense for Borne to do that as the good guy in the story. Isn’t he just proving Page right? Just a mess and a poor turn of events for a pretty strong babyface character on the show.
What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE NXT? Let us know in the comments!
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