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NXT is, more often than not, my favorite WWE brand. I must admit that this week's episode wasn't nearly as exciting as most other weeks. This is, in part, because the NXT TakeOver card is set in stone. And as has been discussed several times, this time, TakeOver is one match short.
I can live with that, quite honestly. NXT is a brand that values quality over quantity, and this reflects in their weekly product, in every episode. So, how exactly did the go-home episode of NXT before TakeOver: WarGames pan out, this week?
I've identified 5 points that I felt were worth mentioning, in this very feature. Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
What did you think of this week's episode, readers?
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#5 Huge match with huge stakes
Each of the teams involved in WarGames had to pick a representative to battle it out in a singles match. The winning team would receive an advantage heading into NXT TakeOver: WarGames for the actual WarGames match. Kyle O'Reilly was chosen to be the singles representative for the Undisputed ERA.
The babyfaces could not make up their mind about whom they would choose to represent their oddball team. When Dunne and Ricochet got into a war of words, Hanson volunteered for the role. The monstrous individual met up against the technical and tactical O'Reilly in a clash of styles, in this week's main event match.
O'Reilly tried to keep the big man on the mat, but Hanson would overpower the considerably smaller opponent and move to the top rope. Adam Cole would interfere, and then the others would, and ultimately, all hell broke loose, ahead of the TakeOver match. This allowed O'Reilly to pick up the win and the advantage for the Undisputed ERA.
#4 Belair continues to impress
Bianca Belair has just been on a dominant streak since she arrived in NXT. Mia Yim sought to put an end to Belair and actually took her to the limit. Belair sold for Yim like she's sold for few others in the past. But even Yim's efforts were not enough to secure her a victory against the highly impressive Belair.
Some of you may know Mia Yim as Jade from TNA, so you know that she's been around the block and has some impressive credentials in her resume. Expect her to rise up the ranks and make a name for herself in NXT, over time. But now, quite unquestionably, it is Bianca Belair's time.
The announcers constantly alluded to the fact that Belair deserved a shot at the NXT Women's Championship. I can actually imagine her as a future women's Champion.
#3 Ladylike win
Bianca Belair isn't the only woman that's been rising up the ranks in NXT these days. Lacey Evans has been very impressive recently and she took on Karissa Rivera in what turned out to be a squash match, eventually. Rivera is, of course, the daughter of Steve King, who is a former WWE superstar. But even that did not help her win this match.
Evans picked up a very easy win with the 'Women's Right'. And then she chastised the NXT locker room for not being ladylike and threatened to take them out with the same move. During the course of the match, she even performed push-ups on her opponent and wiped off the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief.
Evans has to be in the conversation for gold. I'm sure her time is coming very soon indeed.
#2 Farewell, Vic Joseph
The voice of NXT, Mauro Ranallo, has been missing from NXT over the past few weeks, as he has been on assignment elsewhere. In his place, Vic Joseph, whom you may know for calling 205 Live, has stepped in and delivered. While he's done a commendable job, there really is no replacement for Ranallo.
I'm really excited to hear him call the matches at TakeOver. Ranallo makes the matches special with his unique style, enthusiasm and delivery. I don't mean to say that Joseph isn't good, but Ranallo is just the best in the world when it comes to calling any kind of combat sport.
I love how far Percy Watson has come along as well. Watson has become an invaluable part of the team in NXT.
Ranallo, McGuinness and Watson may be my favourite team of announcers in WWE.
#1 Huge match for Matt Riddle
Once upon a time, Kassius Ohno was in Matt Riddle's position. He was the shiny new toy in NXT and fans were absolutely elated to see him take the fight to the roster. As the weeks passed, new talent started coming in and he was conveniently forgotten and cast to the side. The lovable babyface slowly transformed into a highly frustrated heel.
Matt Riddle is NXT's latest signee and Ohno has challenged him to a match next week. This is Riddle's first real feud in NXT and there's no better opponent than Ohno. Ohno can have a good match with a broomstick in his sleep, and hence, put on a clinic against Matt Riddle.
Is Riddle a future NXT Champion? I would imagine that it's only a matter of time until he enters the title picture owing to how over the man is, at this present moment.
What do you guys think of Riddle and his NXT future?
