-WWE did a nice job on the video package that recapped the NXT Heatwave PLE from over the weekend. The video was riveting. The show itself? Not so much. That’s the idea, though. Polish up a video that makes said event shine brighter than it actually did. Bravo. Mission accomplished.
It’s still Zilla’s show
-The fact that it was Zilla Fatu who started off the show and not Grayson Waller is telling. Fatu is becoming the face of NXT. He cut a confident promo that owned his Heatwave loss and at the same time, mapped out a direction back to the top. Fatu vs. Waller is the match NXT should be building toward long-term. Stand and Deliver next year? Tristan Angels did his thing as the annoying heel … more on these two guys in a second.
-I’m out on Myles Borne as a heel. Borne walked the line this week and played up the fact that he was conflicted about what went down at Heatwave with Tavion Heights. That’s even worse than a true heel turn. With promos like the one he cut on video from his car this week, he jumps into no-man’s land. Yet another character on WWE television that fans aren’t sure how to react to.
-From the G1 in New Japan to matches against Shiloh Hill in NXT. That’s Naraku’s range the last year. It’s a bit jarring watching him work the style he did against Hill this week, but you can understand why he chose it. Naraku looked like he could do the match in his sleep. Hill held up his end of the deal in the match and fired up nicely as a babyface. The mist victory for Naraku keeps the feud on the burner. It’s been a good one so far.
-As for the Shiloh Hill weekly tracker? A thumbs up this week. He showcased enough of his character, but not too much. The one-note stuff he left out of the action.
-Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno vs. Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux was a WWE Evolve match that somehow ended up on NXT. Dorian Van Dux got a “dvd” crowd chant? That’s the most notable thing that happened in this one.
A pair of serious Creed’s
-Wait! The notable thing award about the above match really belonged to two guys that weren’t in the match at all. The Creed Brothers returned and ditched all the silliness that they found on the main roster. They wore street clothes and came across as a serious act. It’s the right lane for them. This version of that team against Vanity Project for the tag titles is a match that could main event any NXT show.
-Am I dreaming???? Zaria chose to ditch the Speed Championship that she won at Heatwave in favor of holding onto the NXT Women’s North American Championship. Robert Stone’s answer? Get rid of it AND the men’s version. Hallelujah. These championships hurt my head. Truly. The 24/7 Championship was more entertaining than these. Good riddance.
-What you saw this week from Kelani Jordan was her best microphone work to date in NXT. Jordan dropped a championship victory promo and not only found the right words, but the right delivery as well. The right tone. She came across as supremely arrogant, yet confident, even in the face of having to use an exposed ring post to beat Kendal Grey to win the NXT Women’s Championship. As a heel, you want the audience to see and feel that you’re out of touch with reality. If that psychology plays right, it automatically creates a line in the sand with the heel on one side and the fans on the other. Jaida Parker was the babyface benefactor. Parker had a cold match with Natalya at Heatwave, but stood on the foundation Jordan built with her promo this week. Parker got some of her swagger back and the title shot between both is a suitable NXT television main event.
It’s a work
-As for Grey, she’s got vertigo? I mean, sure, it may be an actual thing. I smell and angle, though. Jordan worked over Grey’s injured ear for the entire match at Heatwave. Having her not appear for a couple weeks because of recovery helps give Jordan the perception that she’s dangerous and can take anyone out at anytime. It’s a good foundation for a heel to work on — especially one that’s solidifying a title run.
-Don’t sleep on Thea Hail. She’s got the underdog act down pat. That feature of her personality has been neutralized by Parker’s charisma ever since the two started to become friends on television. At this point, Hail is better off going out there alone, rather than fight for time and space with Parker. It’s hard to be the underdog, when someone like Parker has your back at any given moment. Plus, Hail and Parker continue to have weak chemistry.
-As for Tavion Heights, I guess he lost his friend and all, but c’mon! Show a little anger and a little fire. His backstage promo didn’t hit either of those emotions. Heights was upset, but left his emotions there and only there. He could have used some boosted volume or more intense words to pull the audience onto his side. Thank goodness for Vanity Project. When that group jumped into the shot, they got the heat for the segment that Heights couldn’t achieve on his own. Heights against Jackson Drake next week is an above average match, but I think you can guess where it’s going. Enter heel Myles Borne — gross.
-The main event match was Zilla Fatu against Tristan Angels. It was what it was. Fatu got a victory and showcased his charisma and energy. Angels worked as a classic heel out there to make sure the entire audience was on Fatu’s side. They were. Fatu is on the chase and seemingly has a date with Birthright in the near future. They will be another domino that falls at the hands of Fatu and why not. He’s on the chase and needs wins to maintain momentum.
Grayson Waller sets tone with shoot-style storyline promo
-Grayson Waller built an uphill mountain to climb when his return to NXT was marked by a meta shoot promo. As I wrote at the time, he can’t stay in that zone forever, so he needs to find a similar voice, but within the confines of the ecosystem that NXT plays in. Waller found that lane in his main event promo segment this week. Waller had the shoot tone on what he said, but every jab at other talents was related to something that took place on television and in storyline. Waller was really good and as a bad guy, established what his newly won NXT Championship meant to him and what his title run would look like.
-After Waller spoke, it was challenger parade time. This promo format doesn’t bother me as much as it does others because of how effective it can be. After one segment here with Waller as champion, the audience knows the hierarchy of the men’s division. Those that were out there are the top contenders with Fatu waiting in the wings. Defining stuff like this organizes the roster and helps with overall presentation of stars.
What did you think of Grayson Waller’s NXT promo this week? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Let us know in the comments!
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Zilla still needs seasoning. I could see him v Cruz in April for the NXT title in NYC. Grayson's really relishing being the straw that stirs the drink.
I don't know what Worlds Collide is gonna look like in a few weeks.
I refuse to think Kendal won't get another run with the women's title. A two month run is not gonna cut it. Kelani being on top should present new layers to her deluded schtick; how's she gonna react now that the bullseye's on her chest?