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This week's episode of NXT went well over the usual run time. And yet, it did not feel long and stretched out. Yes, that's exactly how good this week's episode was. After all, it was the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.
The show began with chants of 'NXT' midway through the first match. And in what was poetic justice through and through, the final match also had chants of 'NXT', because of its frantic, breakneck pace. Like I remarked to my colleagues, this could have been a WWE NXT TakeOver show.
I'd love to hear your thoughts about this week's episode of NXT, especially about the in-ring action. Do you feel it was worthy of all the hype I've heaped upon it?
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#5 Ricochet and Aleister Black kick things off in grand style
Ricochet and Aleister Black make for a very unlikely pairing. One man is a human highlight reel who can do things that the mind cannot even conceive. The other is a man who follows the path of darkness, whose Black Mass spin kicks can conceivably end almost any match.
The twosome took on the team of Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel and all four men pulled their weight and then some during the course of the highly explosive contest. There was no way that Ricochet and Aleister Black were going to lose this match, considering how much momentum they have on RAW and SmackDown Live at the moment.
Those higher up definitely see a lot of value and merit in having Aleister Black and Ricochet as a unit, so they may even go on to win the whole thing. Would you like to see them as winners of the cup?
#4 The Forgotten Sons emerge from the shadows
Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan have been two of the most consistent performers in NXT, dazzling the audiences with their performances every time they step into the ring. One expected them to make short work of The Forgotten Sons. Instead, it was the Forgotten Sons that picked up the win.
One can say that this was arguably the biggest win of their entire career. This is because they have not been portrayed as top superstars yet and their gimmick does not actually endear them to the NXT Universe either. Not long ago, we heard chants of 'stay forgotten' directed at them.
But with this victory, they are one step closer to winning that coveted Dusty Rhodes Classic tournament. They will, in all probability, not win the whole thing, but it's cool to see them ascend a round because the tag team division is short on heels right now.
#3 A big upset
The Forgotten Sons' victory wasn't the only upset of the night. Tyler Bate and Trent Seven scored a decisive win over one of NXT's most promising teams- The Street Profits.
Much like the two matches that preceded it, this match was an exhibition of much lightning-fast offense and heavy-handed blows. It was a match that played out in such a manner that it could have gone either way and even in defeat, The Street Profits did look strong.
So now, Tyler Bate and Trent Seven AKA Moustache Mountain will go up against the Forgotten Sons in the semifinals of the tournament. Nigel McGuinness, in particular, has been quite the advocate for his countrymen and he was behind them for the duration of the contest.
Once again, as gifted as the two men are, I simply cannot see Tyler Bate and Trent Seven going on to win the whole tournament somehow.
#2 #DIY officially reunites again
Ciampa and Gargano have waged wars against one another in the past. But the two men had also been the best of friends once upon a time, and their chemistry has always been something to behold. We recently even saw them team up on the main roster and even score a victory.
Ciampa and Gargano did not enter the ringside area together, but then Ciampa made Gargano pause up on the ramp. Lo and behold, #DIY's original theme song hit much to the delight of the WWE Universe. The band was back together once again and they were wrestling better than ever before.
Together, they vanquished the Undisputed ERA who were a footnote in the story of Ciampa and Gargano's reunion, despite the fact that they really put on a show to remember. But I wonder how Ciampa's injury will change things going forward in the tournament.
#1 The Velveteen Dream is not Matt Riddle's 'bro', okay?
The Velveteen Dream is your new North American Champion. It's been a long time coming, but now that he holds the gold, he has a target on his back too. Matt Riddle came out to contest for the title, and seemingly congratulate the Velveteen Dream. The Velveteen Dream recoiled from Riddle's comments and informed him that he's not his bro.
I would be absolutely down for a program between these two men. There couldn't be two men more different from one another...one flamboyant and eccentric, the other carefree and eccentric in a different way. You know you want to see this clash as much as all of us.
I had a great time watching and reviewing this week's show. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself and favour and go right ahead, folks.
I'm certain you will absolutely love it.
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