We were already excited about this week’s episode of NXT, considering we would find out who would challenge the undefeated Asuka for the women’s Championship. To be quite honest, we expected that segment to be the main event this week, however, it just happened to be the sequence that kickstarted the show.
Much like a crescendo, the show just kept getting better and better with every consecutive segment thereafter. The show was capped with a huge surprise return that absolutely blew our minds. So without further ado, let’s find out what happened this week on NXT television.
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#5 An upset, an injury and some consolation
NXT has been, quite deliberately, holding off from having Asuka clash against Ember Moon, the only competitor who looks like she can defeat the undefeated NXT Women's Champion clean. We thought this week was Ember Moon’s time, considering the rest of the women’s roster seems far inferior to her, at least in terms of pure in-ring skills.
However, Peyton Royce picked up the win, pinning Liv Morgan while Ember Moon did not feature in most of the match. Thankfully, we later learned that this does not qualify Royce for a Takeover match but a title shot next week only (#DIY also get a title shot against the NXT Tag Team Champions ‘The Authors of Pain’ next week).
Does this mean Moon gets Asuka at the next Takeover in Orlando?
We suppose WWE is holding off from an Asuka vs Ember Moon clash as they are both babyfaces. However, it seems almost certain that the two will have a big match soon. We wonder if Moon would be the woman to end Asuka’s undefeated reign.
Unfortunately, Billie Kay suffered an injury during the tapings and may be out of action for a while. Does it mean Peyton can have the spotlight to herself?
#4 Yet another awesome match
Last week, WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate and Trent Seven had one of the best matches we've seen on NXT in a really long time indeed. This week, Former TNA Star Mark Andrews and Pete Dunne, we daresay had an even better match that had the entire NXT Universe chanting ‘this is awesome!’
Dunne wrestles in a style very similar to Daniel Bryan and Zack Sabre Jr. and his submission-based assault was perfectly complemented by Mark Andrews’ high-flying aerial manoeuvres. While the quality of NXT television had slipped in recent times, with matches like these on a weekly basis... we are certain the glory days of NXT will return.
Maybe Wolfgang can enter the fray next?
#3 A war of chants
Unlike other former NXT Champions, Bobby Roode wrestles in a very old-school classic NWA style. A style that has been a direct contrast to the high-flying assault of Finn Balor, or the stiff kicks of Shinsuke Nakamura or the MMA-oriented assault one associates with Samoa Joe.
What Roode does have working for him, however, is his glorious theme song. In the main event this week, he took on another man with a gimmick that resonates with fans who like to have fun: No Way Jose.
In essence, this was just a squash match with Roode picking up the win easily, but the audience made the match with 'glorious’, ‘No Way Jose’ and even ‘Shiba Inu’ chants. NXT repaid their infectious enthusiasm with a huge comeback from a former star.
#2 NXT welcomes a former star back home
We’d read the news. We’d seen the vignettes. We’d been anticipating this moment forever. When Bobby Roode returned to the ring to beat up No Way Jose after scoring a victory, Kassius Ohno came in to make the save.
Yes, the original KO who was supposed to be the third member of The Shield, when Roman Reigns was not a part of the legendary stable. Yes, the same guy who wrestled in the indies as Chris Hero and made a name for himself outside WWE, after being let go by the company.
Ohno expressed his desire to face Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship and while Roode teased a match right there, it was all a ruse to blindside Ohno. While Ohno did manage to counter and stand tall as the episode went off-air, we wonder how this storyline will build in the coming weeks on NXT.
#1 Shinsuke Nakamura is fast recovering too!
How does the King plan on reclaiming his crown?
If the plan right now involves Ohno and Roode, how will Nakamura involve himself into the star-studded mix? Remember, he still has a contractual rematch. Also, today we saw a tweet that suggested that Nakamura is on the road to recovery. What’s next for the King of Strong Style then? Will he return after Takeover: Orlando?
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