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As I write this, I've watched Johnny Gargano and Aleister Black wrestle three times this week. And all three matches were quite solid. What an amazing time to be a fan of sports entertainment, right? The match quality has never been better.
Welcome to yet another NXT post-episode feature. There were only three matches on this week's show. But each of the three matches was extraordinary and by the end of the third, I had no alternative but to dub this episode a thumbs up show.
Special kudos need to go out to the commentary team of Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness, and Percy Watson. Unlike the announcers in the main roster, these three men call the action in the ring and don't insert a million unnecessary plugs, dialling up the excitement as the match picks up steam.
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NXT is not a brand that insults your intelligence and for the same, I am quite glad.
#5 Roderick Strong succumbs to the Black Mass
We saw Aleister Black in action on RAW and then again on SmackDown Live, this week. He defeated Elias on RAW and then Andrade on the blue brand, on two consecutive nights. He unleashed the Black Mass kick on both men and neither really stood a chance.
This week on NXT, he took on the 'Messiah of the Backbreaker' Roderick Strong and the two ring generals took each other to the limit with a spectacular showdown. While the match went the distance, yet another Black Mass would spell disaster for Roderick Strong. And then the rest of the Undisputed ERA would come out and destroy the Dutch Destroyer.
This brought out Ricochet who would come to Black's side and chase out the heels. Ricochet and Black have formed an alliance in NXT, and one wonders if it'll extend to the main roster too.
#4 He's just a common man
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament is one of the most fun events of the year for the NXT Universe. Lo and behold, the tournament is back and the winner gets a chance at the Tag Team Champions at the next TakeOver. I'm quite intrigued to find out who eventually wins this tournament.
The four teams that have been announced for this tournament are all cohesive teams, who're on the same page, unlike contenders from previous editions. It's interesting to note that Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish are the two members of the Undisputed ERA who will be a part of this tournament and not Roderick Strong. It is clear from the events of the previous page, that Strong is currently running through the singles division.
I wonder if the remaining teams will have some strange pairings between unlikely NXT Superstars. Those oddball pairings are always a lot of fun.
#3 Jeremy Borash interviews Matt Riddle
For the uninitiated, Jeremy Borash was the ring announcer, commentator, producer and mainstay of TNA for many years, before he departed for NXT. He was also a very central figure to the Broken Universe that Matt Hardy created, shooting on his drone.
It was pretty cool to see him sit down with Matt Riddle and try to understand the man who just seems far too 'chilled out' to be an NXT superstar. Riddle explained his perspective and I can't wait to catch the whole interview after I finish this review.
I love how NXT gives us a look at the personas of their Superstars with such video packages. It would have made sense for RAW and SmackDown Live to also introduce the call-ups in such a manner, because casual fans may not know these men.
It's clear that NXT has big plans for Riddle and I can see him hold gold in due time.
#2 Disconnect between NXT and the main roster
If you read my 'Best and Worst of RAW' feature this week, you know that I had a real problem with #DIY uniting without fanfare. As it stands in NXT right now, the two men are still not on the same page yet. Gargano pretty much told Ciampa that he did not need Ciampa's help to defend his coveted Championship.
Of course, Gargano would go on to lose the title in his very first defense to The Velveteen Dream. But that's not the topic we're going to dwell upon in this page. It is the fact that Ciampa remained a macabre presence through the main event of the show, watching the proceedings from a distance.
The story between Ciampa and Gargano is far from over and therefore, I don't know why #DIY reunited. There is no synergy between NXT and the main roster and this is quite bizarre indeed.
#1 Brand new North American Champion crowned
This was a long time coming and I'm glad that The Velveteen Dream is your new North American Champion. This is because he's gotten himself over with his athleticism and his charisma to the point where he may be NXT's most popular star at the moment. Sure, Gargano lost the title in his first defense, but I believe this plays into a larger storyline. One that involves Ciampa as well.
If you've not watched this match yet, I recommend you do so. The match began technically with Gargano, the significantly smaller man, bringing Dream down to the mat to gain the upper hand against him. By the end of the contest, it was fast and furious.
I wonder if Johnny Gargano will get a rematch against The Velveteen Dream. Or if his main roster responsibilities will mean the end of his run.
What did you think of the show, dear readers?
