-The road environment for NXT television is significantly more entertaining than the WWE Performance Center crowd. More intensity. More energy. Period.
Less is more
-Ok, the NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match was really good for what it wasn’t more than for what it was. The three women held back and they needed to. The anchor of the match was the Sol Ruca vs. Zaria feud. There was plenty of that in the match, but also a lot left on the table. Business is still very much unfinished between those two. Smart not to give that all away in a random triple threat. The action that was included was crisp and each woman had their moment to shine.
-With Jacy Jayne still the NXT Women’s Champion, hopefully that means NXT is going to deliver a true Zaria vs. Sol Ruca singles match at Stand and Deliver. They need at least one singles match to put a bow on that long feud. As for Jayne, she’ll walk into the biggest event of the year as champion. Who else in the women’s division can Shawn Michaels heat up fast enough to face her there?
-The men’s NXT Championship picture is cold right now. Joe Hendry got a nice reaction for his stuff this week, but the challengers aren’t there in a clear enough way. Ricky Starks and Ethan Page bickering about the topic isn’t a fun watch. Fans seem to be behind Tony D’Angelo, but it’s awkward for them to be cheering him as he takes out Hendry. Smells like a multi-person match for the championship at Stand and Deliver. They can go to that if they have to, but it isn’t the main event with so many other programs in better positions on the show.
Regal!!!
-The Birthright is a faction of randoms. They don’t have much credibility standing around backstage. William Regal injects them with some. The Birthright isn’t The Blackpool Combat Club, but Regal’s involvement with the group makes it watchable at the very least.
-As for their match this week? They won and have moved on in the NXT Tag Team Championship tournament. Here’s a customer service announcement for all wrestling companies. If you are going to do a tournament of some kind, commit to it, and put out a bracket. It’s more fun and engaging for the audience when the outcomes they see have clear consequences.
-The Los Americanos gimmick doesn’t make any sense. On Monday they were heels opposite the original El Grand Americano. This week on NXT they were cheered for attempting to take down Vanity Project. What’s the thought process behind this presentation? If an act is heel on one show, it should stay consistent on others.
Five time
-NXT had a nice appreciation ceremony for Booker T and of course it ended in some type of storyline calamity. Keanu Carter was fine, but the segment seemed random. Not much substance. Glad it eventually circled back to Booker T getting cheered by his peers and the crowd.
-We have a new NXT Speed Champion!!! Annnnnnnnnnnnd scene.
-Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame for the NXT Women’s North American Championship in the main event was fine, but not on the level of their match together at Vengeance Day. This was the blowoff match and the feud needed to end. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to Izzi Dame. She’s not ready for a main roster spot, but doesn’t have a clear road to walk down in NXT. Maybe a future heel opponent for a babyface Sol Ruca NXT Women’s Champion?
-As for Paxley. Blake Monroe is next and that should be excellent.
Stand and Deliver, meet bucket of cold water
-Sidebar. WWE is going to regret running Stand and Deliver away from WrestleMania weekend. There was a charm in watching the big NXT show prior to the big BIG show. Plus, it felt special because in the WrestleMania host city, it was. The event is a couple weeks away and there isn’t much buzz at all for it.
What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE NXT? Let us know in the comments!
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