-A crazy tag match to open the show with Fraxiom taking on Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno. Insane pace. The speed of the match hooked the audience right away and the talent built on that foundation. The near falls got pops and there seemed to be genuine drama in the crowd around who was going to win.
Main roster waste
-For as good as this match was, I couldn’t help but think about what a waste Fraxiom have been on SmackDown. This type of match could be a regular feature of that show and they don’t get the time they need. As for Dar and Moreno, this was a good match, but I don’t know that they have a long future together as a team.
-Personally, I couldn’t stand the Mr. NXT stuff that was woven throughout the show this week. Most of it was silly comedy nonsense. However — and I can’t believe I’m about to say this — it worked to build heat for the Tristan Angels and Shiloh Hill feud. The entire thing was a very easy way to show the polar opposite nature of both characters and the crowd reacted to each just like the booking wanted. Hill winning and getting beat up from behind by Angels got a strong reaction. It’s lowest common denominator storytelling, but it works because there are two clearly defined characters. The match will have the audience’s attention when they run it.
-Naraku vs. Mason Rook looked like a fight. Not a great match by any means, but serviceable. Naraku needed this win. Rook and the others around the NXT Championship picture are up and comers and this point. Naraku vs. Tony D’Angelo is the biggest match that NXT can put on in the men’s division. Yes, that says a great deal about the depth of that division. It needs new stars … fast.
-So, Tate Wilder is an adrenaline junkie? A weak character if you ask me, but at least it’s something. Wilder is getting a little push with this new gimmick and the vignette. See above. The men’s division is lacking depth. This is an attempt to inject it with some potential.
Appointment viewing
-Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan was excellent. Those two women have good chemistry, they’ve told a multiple week story regarding their rivalry, and there were significant stakes on the line with the number one contendership for the NXT Women’s Championship up for grabs. Grey is such a smooth worker and Jordan kept up the entire way. Both women are a reason to watch NXT on a weekly basis. Grey vs. Lola Vice for the NXT Women’s Championship is a worthy match for The Great American Bash.
-A filler match this week between Jasper Troy and Dion Lennox. The Saquon Shugars interference was overly cute and didn’t put any extra heat on that faction rivalry.
-LOL. Izzi Dame burying the Speed Championship wasn’t on my bingo card for the week, but that’s exactly what we got. If nothing else, it’s a tell and she isn’t winning that title anytime soon. LOL.
New champ
-Match of the night honors go to Tatum Paxley vs. Zaria in the main event for the NXT Women’s North American Championship. Really good action that told the story of a champion trying to hang on, but coming up short against a bigger and stronger opponent. Paxley had a great double foot stomp counter to Zaria’s spear that popped the audience. Zaria needed to win this title on this night. NXT has done a very good job keeping her strong and relevant after the Sol Ruca feud came to an end earlier this year.
QUESTION: Does that NXT men’s division have enough talent at the top? Who should be in the NXT Championship picture with Tony D’Angelo and Naraku. Anyone? Debate in the comments.
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