-Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker was a strong way to open up the specialty Revenge episode of NXT this week. We’re not talking Kenny Omega vs. MJF level stuff here, but it was better than serviceable with a clear babyface and clear heel. Parker had the crowd the entire way.
Shiloh has something
-Ok, I continue to be a fan of Shiloh Hill. Look, the gimmick is too all over the place. Still. There is an authenticity to it and it resonates. Ricky Saints, take a bow. The Saints facial expressions highlighted the madness of Hill and helped Hill stand out as likable. All of that said, I reiterate — less crazy with Hill and more nuance.
-Did anyone else think Keanu Carter turned babyface when he bulldozed his way through the Joe Hendry concert this week? Just me? Call me crazy, but the concerts have lost their charm. They are too corny and rarely deliver the way they once did. Carter vs. Hendry can be a fun feud, but leave the musical instruments out of it.
-A strong debut for Kali Armstrong. She looked the part of a dominant pro wrestler, but needs a gimmick if you ask me. Something that highlights her personality. Armstrong is going to be good in the ring, but needs to find the character if she’s going to succeed at the highest level.
-Tony D’Angelo is still the NXT Champion. No surprise there. D’Angelo got a nice little reaction from the NXT audience, so that’s a good sign. As for Ethan Page, he got a good match out of D’Angelo, but what else do you do with him in NXT?
Segment of the night
-Well, hey there Myles Borne. That’s your best promo yet. Borne did a great job articulating his vision of the North American Championship and respectfully highlighted beating Johnny Gargano. Borne also got the shine when he fought off DarkState. The next big match for Borne is against Dion Lennox. Both of them will have something to prove, so it’s a match that could exceed expectations when it happens. The feud itself is smart given where both guys are at right now.
-Real quick on the Sol Ruca pre-taped promo. Ok, how desperate was that? Ruca literally stood in front of a camera and retconned the entire storyline with her and Zaria. She wasn’t lying, but it felt like an attempt to right the ship and tilt the odds in her favor by making sure everyone understood the exact story WWE wants them to understand. Call me crazy, but fans might just see through this.
-The NXT Speed Championship was defended. I can’t believe this is still a thing. Make it stop!
-Blake Monroe vs. Tatum Paxley in a Casket Match next week? I’m in on that. Monroe and Paxley are polar opposites from a character perspective and have good chemistry because of it. A Casket Match makes sense at this point and would be a good way to get Monroe up to the main roster.
Vice rules
-A fine main event between Jacy Jayne and Lola Vice. Not much drama, but Vice seemed over as the champion babyface. Not only was this match done to definitively plant Vice at the top, but it showed off all the challengers she has waiting in the wings. Not a tremendously exciting chapter for Vice, but a foundational one in terms of setting up her title run.
What did you think of this week’s Revenge episode of WWE NXT? Let us know in the comments!
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