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I cannot stress upon just how good I thought this week's episode of NXT was, because it was perfect. There was great storytelling, there were great matches (well, one really good match) and there was a great hook for next week's show. Moreover, there was a sense of 'I want more' when the show concluded. I do not feel the same with either RAW or SmackDown Live.
I will not mention them as part of my 5 points, so let me say this at the outset. The announcers were brilliant in providing the soundtrack to the hour of action that we all witnessed. While I've been critical of his work in the past, Percy Watson has come along fantastically and I cannot imagine an episode of NXT without him anymore.
Let's go right into the heart of the action, ladies and gentlemen. These are 5 things I particularly enjoyed about the show this week.
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#5 Ciampa's next Championship feud?
The Velveteen Dream has become the hottest thing in NXT because of the massive fan support that he's received thanks to his outstanding performances in the ring and on the microphone. Put him across the ring from NXT's most despised performer, Tommaso CIampa, and you have the recipe for a clash like none other.
When The Velveteen Dream implicated Ciampa for the attack on Aleister Black, Ciampa was not amused. This week, Ciampa told Dream that he wasn't 'tough enough', which got the crowd all riled up for their eventual clash, hopefully for the championship. Imagine the kind of heat their match will have, if/when they clash.
The Dream retaliated with a strong jab of his own, that shook Tommaso Ciampa up. But that wasn't the only surprise to come out of this segment...
#4 Nikki knows a secret
Someone attacked Aleister Black (in kayfabe) and ruled him out of action for the last TakeOver event. In reality, this was done because Black had suffered a grievous injury. This forced William Regal to conduct an investigation into who could have possibly carried these attacks out, unfortunately with not much success. But Nikki Cross was on the roof of the building, which provided her with a vantage point and yes, she perhaps saw who carried the attack out.
Nikki Cross came out and told Ciampa that she knows what he did. Before you think that he carried out the attack, let me just say that NXT will never make a storyline so very simple. Moreover, Cross repeated the same line to Kassius Ohno.
I really love how unhinged Cross comes across when she slips into character mode. If anyone deserves the moniker of the 'Lunatic Fringe', it's most certainly her.
#3 Great show next week
Let us move from Nikki Cross' secret to the fact that she will take on Bianca Belair next week in a huge singles match. Also, The Undisputed ERA will take on the War Raiders. The NXT Tag Team Championships will be on the line. We simply cannot miss the action packed episode!
Will Cross provide us with answers when she steps into the ring against Belair? The sad bit is, with all our knowledge and research, we cannot predict how her mind really works and cannot therefore, answer this question.
#2 Incredible main event match
We already knew that if Adam Cole, Pete Dunne and Ricochet were to clash, the result would be quite outstanding indeed. But these three men took my expectations and delivered a jaw-dropping performance, exceeding them. The chants of 'fight forever' were quite justified.
This was a contest with three men at the top of their game, in their very prime. They told an amazing story of three men hungry to win the North American Championship. If there is one match you watch this week, please make it this one.
None of us know how any of these men will fare when they come up to the main roster. Therefore, let's enjoy them while we can, during their NXT run.
#1 Limitless potential for the future
I wasn't the biggest fan of Kona Reeves when he adapted his new gimmick. I have to say that he's come a long way since then. He actually held his own against Keith Lee and came across as a self-obsessed heel. I'm very happy to see how far he has come as a performer.
But all the praise must go to Lee. Lee is a man who's incredibly fast and agile for his size. There's something very likeable about him, making him just the perfect babyface.
Both have the size to shine in the main roster. Maybe NXT is just the beginning for them, to embark on a long and prosperous career, in due time.
Did you guys enjoy this week's episode of NXT as much as I did, dearest readers?
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