by JCH
Hi readers, I’m at a crossroads in my NXT reviewing career. I’ve missed a few episodes recently (even one with a Matt Riddle main event). I don’t know how I feel about the move to T.V and the increase to 2 hours. I’m not hugely into AEW and I think NXT has a better roster, but if it becomes like all the rest of WWE Network programming I will be tuning out I Imagine. The fact of the matter is NXT feels like its aimed at me, AEW feels like its aimed at me. Raw and Smackdown do not. So if Vinny Mac lets Trips and whoever continue to produce the show they have been and the two inspire each other to be great wrestling shows then we will all win. I’m not optimistic though…The moment I see Matt Riddle locking in a 3 minute chin lock I am tapping out on N-X-T.
I’ve been writing tweet length reviews for Stardom’s 5 Star Grand Prix. Find the thread @thejamesarris. I am attempting to write less play-by-play based review here as well. So bare with me, feel free to give feedback. We are all learning all the time.
Io Shirai vs Cami Fields
Io beats up some jobber. She picks her up after the moonsault and locks on the submission finisher.
Io Shirai is so good. She has intensity and everything she does looks like it hurts. I remember other Japanese stars with similar intensity. Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nakamura (if he thought the spot deserved it). The style of wrestling there just looks like it hurts. What I don’t understand is WWE signing these wrestlers and then disregarding what makes them individualistic and stand out to fit the ‘WWE Style’. On NXT they continue to perform and excite crowds, then when they reach the main roster they are slowed down to incorporate chinlocks and seems as if they are told to hold back. It makes no sense to me.
Anyway after the match Candace Lerae comes out and attacks Io with a Kendo stick. More of that feud. Yes please.
Keith Lee vs Dominick Dijakovic.
These two have a stop start rivalry, with injuries derailing a promising feud earlier this year. Two big men with extraordinary athleticism. This should be good.
What I really like about Dijakovic is his size makes him seem a bit awkward. Nothing looks too smooth, He’s a 6ft 6, 270lb man doing a Fosberry Flop, so why would it look natural. Really adds to his matches for me.
Lee caught Dijakovic diving off the top into a Styles Clash type position, transferred him up to a power bomb and Dijakovic landed on his feet.
Keith Lee is one of my favorite wrestlers to see live. The bask in his glory may be a gimmick, but the guy has an aura about him and you do just admire that.
Keith Lee just hit a top rope Spanish FLy. WOW.
The way these two can switch between high flying and power moves, with silent looking strike exchanges makes for a great match.
Dijakovic kicks Lee off the top turnbuckle and lifts him into Feast Your Eyes.
This was great. If NXT can put on 2 hours worth of this stuff (and they have the roster to do so)
then I will be very happy.
Back to back losses to big men for Lee, is he the new Kassius Ohno. Will Dijakovic move on to the feud with Velveteen Dream that looked to be starting before his injury.
Career respective on Johnny Gargano’s NXT tenure is shown. Shane Thorne comes out and tells the comms they should be talking about him not Gargano. {possible matchup there…
Brilliant segment where Mia Yim moans at Regal for getting attacked 3 on 1 by the The horsewomen last week. Regal, who is on the phone, just says ‘What do you expect you attacked 2 of them’ and leaves. Brilliant.
The Queen of Spades comes out, before she can talk she Is interrupted by Rhea Ripley….
Full Sail has exploded for Rhea Ripley. That reaction is incredible.
She Steals the mic from Shayna and says ‘I know what you’re gonna say. You’ve beaten everyone, but you haven’t beaten me. BITCH’
Crowd goes mad again. That was an impactful appearance from Ripley. Who seemingly is a badass babyface on NXT. I’m game for that match.
Pete Dunne video. He says he will go wherever he wants and he should be North American
Champion.
Street Profits vs Undisputed Era (reDRagon version) - Tag Titles
This rematch has come about due to the ref missing a tag between Fish and O’Reilly at Takeover leading to the non-legal man being pinned.
Loving FullSail today. Crowd all in on Street Profits. F-R-G there with his flag.
Bobby Fish does little things really well. His talking and facial expressions stand out for me. His facial expressions is what drew my attention to him the first time I saw him walking to a ring in the Hammerstein Ballroom for ROH about 7 years ago. Speaking of facial expressions. Kyle O’Reilly. What a delight.
Montez tags in and hits a huge dropkick. This guys athleticism is through the roof.
Kyle and Bobby isolate Montez and target the knee of Ford. Keep the flyer on the ground. Quick tags. Great Tag Team wrestling by the baddest team on God’s green.
Angelo Dawkins runs through two body kicks. Then shoulder blocks Fish into O’Reilly. Nice hot tag from Dawkins there. Angelo is the less heralded member of the Street Profits but he can hold his own on the mice and looks to have found his groove in ring with Montez. I don’t think his ceiling is as high, but he’s earnt himself a future.
CHASING THE DRAGON!!!! Dawkins kicks out!
Due to the injury Dawkins hits the Frog Splash instead of Ford, Fish makes the save.
Montez at this point throws caution to the wind. Tope Conhiro. Heads up top. Misses the Massive Frog Splash. Hi-Lo from the ERA and IT IS OVER. NEW Champs.
I feel like Roddy could win the title before the move to the USA Network.
Nice main event. GOOD show.
Stars of the week
Rhea Ripley - Came out of this appearance looking like an absolute superstar.
Keith Lee
Dominick Dijakovic
Montez Ford award
Rhea Ripley
Top 10 Stars
1. Johnny Gargano - 16
2. Matt Riddle - 13
3. Shayna Baszler, Io Shirai, Ricochet, Kyle O'Reilly - 10
7. Bianca Belair, Roderick Strong, Adam Cole, Kushida - 9
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