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This week's episode of NXT was great, filled with some huge moments. We saw a return, a shocking betrayal, and some potentially great storytelling. This was expected, as the build-up to NXT TakeOver 36 is heating up.
The show was great, but it would have been even better had it not been taped last week. It could have been one of the best episodes of NXT all year if the spoilers to the show hadn't surfaced. Nevertheless, the developments have served to enhance the product.
Hopefully, NXT moves TakeOver 36 outside the Capitol Wrestling Center. A card with such massive potential deserves a full arena of fans, instead of the limited capacity the black and gold brand has accommodated recently.
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Anyway, let's take a look at the main positives and negatives from an eventful episode of NXT. What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments below.
#3 Best/Worst: Dakota Kai turns on NXT Women's Champion Raquel Gonzalez
The title scene in NXT's Women's division just got a huge shot in the arm, following months of Raquel Gonzalez dominating each challenge put in front of her. Dakota Kai cut a fiery promo to hype up 'Big Mami Cool' before turning on her and staking a claim for the NXT Women's Championship.
This move was sudden, without much of a build. However, the past 18 months of Gonzalez and Kai's partnership do make the turn mean a great deal. Their feud over the NXT Women's Title will have a lot of steam behind it, which is just what the belt needs.
Raquel Gonzalez's reign has not been the greatest, despite her frequent title defenses. Dakota Kai's betrayal has already boosted it, with the next few weeks set to tell a fascinating story heading into NXT TakeOver 36. The inevitable match between them at the event will also be great.
Remaining a team would have been better for Kai and Gonzalez in the long run, but a split was necessary to liven up the NXT Women's Title picture.
#2 Worst: Should Imperium really be the next challengers for the NXT Tag Team Championships?
Unless NXT has some major plans for Imperium linked with WALTER's arrival to the United States, Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel do not seem like the ideal candidates to be next in line for a title shot. But here they are, primed to face MSK with gold on the line after defeating HitRow.
The two of them, while good in the ring, have barely evolved as characters. Aichner and Barthel are not nearly as threatening without WALTER leading them. But things could change if The Ring General links up with them as he builds towards his match against Ilja Dragunov at NXT TakeOver 36.
Their run as NXT Tag Team Champions last year was not the best. As a result, the title scene might be better off with a fresher, more charismatic team in the hunt. The Grizzled Young Veterans instantly come to mind.
While they have lost a fair bit against MSK, Zack Gibson and James Drake should be the next NXT Tag Team Champions. GYV should ideally be next in line, although their skit with LA Knight and Cameron Grimes at the golf course was pretty entertaining.
#2 Best: Ridge Holland's NXT return sparks an intriguing alliance
Tonight's episode of NXT saw the return of Ridge Holland, nearly ten months since he was last on TV. He helped Pete Dunne and Oney Lorcan defeat Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher. The in-ring quality was high throughout the match, with its conclusion giving birth to an interesting alliance.
Holland brutally attacked Thatcher and Ciampa after the match, picking up from where he left off. He was supposed to be a part of Pat McAfee's WarGames team before suffering a freak injury in a match against Lorcan, which opened up a spot for Dunne to fill in.
The trio could become a dominant force on NXT, with an opportunity arising to establish themselves alongside other three-man teams like HitRow and Legado del Fantasma.
Ridge Holland's dynamic with Pete Dunne seems particularly intriguing. The two of them could play a big part in the upper echelons of the black and gold brand, going forward.
Based on Dunne's staredowns with Samoa Joe over the past few weeks, how will Holland factor into NXT's plans? We will wait and see.
#1 Worst: Kyle O'Reilly and Adam Cole's current alignments may backfire at NXT TakeOver 36
So far, NXT has stacked the feud between Kyle O'Reilly and Adam Cole. Ever since the Undisputed Era was torn apart, O'Reilly has played the valiant babyface opposite the dastardly heel, in Cole. This dynamic has worked well in their previous two matches against each other, but it might be time for a change.
The crowd was completely behind Adam Cole during his main event match against Bronson Reed. As the former NXT Champion was celebrating his victory, Kyle O'Reilly assaulted him with a steel chair.
He would then hit a suplex onto the steel steps, all while the crowd was booing. This might be a sign that the inevitable blowoff to the Cole-O'Reilly feud at NXT TakeOver 36 needs to happen under the opposite alignments.
The black and gold brand would be smart to go with the flow and complete a double turn between the former Undisputed Era brothers. Adam Cole should be the face, while Kyle O'Reilly reverts to being a heel. It would benefit the story while making it fresh again. NXT should not pass up this opportunity.
#1 Best: Samoa Joe vs. Karrion Kross is official for NXT TakeOver 36
The biggest positive from this week's episode of NXT was the confirmation of Samoa Joe's in-ring return. It has been 18 months since his last match, which is incredibly long for a man with such talent. Joe will challenge Karrion Kross at NXT TakeOver 36.
The two-time NXT Champion quit his position as William Regal's enforcer before being reactivated as a member of the roster. This development allows for a natural conclusion to this saga between Joe and Kross, which has been the perfect way to re-introduce him to the black and gold brand.
While Samoa Joe actively sought out a match against Karrion Kross, the NXT Champion was nowhere to be seen. His absence was understandable, considering this episode was taped along with the next. However, a short reaction to the announcement of the TakeOver match would have been nice.
Anyway, Kross and Joe look set to deliver a worthy conclusion to what has been one of the most intriguing angles in NXT in the past couple of years. The former's victory over Keith Lee on RAW was a positive step too, following last week's faux pas involving Kross and Jeff Hardy.
