For the last two weeks, we’ve been subjected to repeat airings of what were essentially house shows, from NXT’s tour to Japan and Australia. The matches were undoubtedly pretty cool, but the missing component in those cases was the storyline, the key factor that separates WWE from other ‘real’ sporting events.
This week, we returned to Full Sail University and the yellow brand was back in form once more, baybeh!
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Stories were set into motion across the NXT Championship title picture, the NXT women's title division, as well as the tag team title scenario. New contenders emerged, and old ones played mind games with the Champions. Let’s count down the top five points to note from this week’s episode of NXT!
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#5 Yet another classic match
#DIY and The Revival created magic last year, especially at NXT Takeover: Toronto. The Full Sail University crowd finally got to witness the same intensity from these men that had enchanted those who had attended these spectacular Takeover events.
The Revival work brilliantly as heels, and it almost seemed as if Corey Graves was their manager, as he kept putting them over on commentary. As expected, the Full Sail crowd was invested in the match with their ‘Johnny Wrestling’ and ‘Psycho Killer’ chants.
This wasn't as good as the Takeover matches were, but it was still a pretty darn good match, all throughout. The chemistry that the men have is off the charts, and one wonders if tag team wrestling in WWE will ever be as good as it has been with these two teams.
Even though #DIY picked up the win, they did not have much time to celebrate as they were blindsided by The Authors of Pain, who will face them at NXT Takeover: San Antonio. One wonders if this is the end for The Revival in NXT! Could we see them challenge Cesaro/Sheamus on Raw or renew their rivalry with American Alpha on Smackdown Live?
#4 The Drifter has improved in the ring
No, Elias Samson is still not Sami Zayn in the ring, but he’s a lot better than he used to be during his first run. What makes him special is the heel heat he generates merely by his presence.
The best way to get Roman Reigns over may be to put him in a program against Elias Samson. Even Corey Graves, a man who’s constantly rooting for the heels, turns on The Drifter when he starts singing and playing the guitar.
It may be interesting to see him in an actual program in the future. Maybe against someone like Roderick Strong, someone we will discuss in the next slide.
#3 Andrade is going after Roderick Storm
There are some occasions when we don’t really mind 50-50 booking, and this was one of them. Lorcan shocked the NXT Universe by defeating Almas in Osaka, Japan; and Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas got his win back this week.
The two men have amazing chemistry, and while they couldn’t top the Revival-#DIY match, this was still a pretty solid contest. Lorcan has a bright future in the company, and the NXT Universe seems completely invested in the man.
Dasha Fuentes from SmackDown came down to ringside to interview Almas, and he cut a promo in Spanish. Thankfully wwe.com has provided a translation, saying that Almas had two names to cross off his list this year. The first was Oney Lorcan, and the second is Roderick Strong. This should be quite an interesting feud when it transpires.
#2 Nikki crossed Asuka
This week’s episode of NXT began with an attack on NXT Women's Champion Asuka, by the heel unit comprising of Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. They attacked her outside the arena and went on to win a squash match against Sarah Bridges and Macey Evans.
An injured Asuka would hobble to the ring seeking retribution, but the damage had already been done. Surprise, surprise. Nikki Cross came down to save Asuka and chased away the heels. Soon enough, she would turn on The Empress of Tomorrow, unleashing her fury on the NXT Women’s Champion.
Nikki and the rest of SAnitY cut a cryptic promo thereafter, as Big Damo looked on, rather creepily. Without giving you spoilers as to what the Women's Championship match at NXT Takeover: San Antonio will be, let's just say that things just got a lot more interesting.
#1 Nakamura got a ticket
No, Shinsuke Nakamura was not speeding. He received a ticket from NXT Takeover: Dallas where Nakamura made his debut, from Bobby Roode during a sit-down interview. This is shortly after Nakamura expressed his admiration for the amazing athlete that ‘Glorious’ Bobby Roode is.
We have no idea what this gesture signifies, but we're sure it will play out in the contract signing that William Regal announced for next week's episode.
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