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The new season of NXT is off with a real bang after everything that transpired at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans recently. We saw debuts, challenges and a future course of action for the men and women of NXT. There was so much that happened on this show and it would be unfair to condense it into just five measly points. However, we will try our best.
Suffice to say that NXT is well on its way to becoming the best WWE brand again. The roster is stacked, despite the many call-ups. The new season promises to be very intense and rewarding for fans.
Congratulations are in order for Nigel McGuinness. He is a new father and had to miss the proceedings because of his paternal responsibilities.
We must commend Mauro Ranallo and Percy Watson for doing a commendable job even without him.
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#5 Full Sail came alive with Ricochet
Until he joined the company, Ricochet was perhaps the biggest star to have not wrestled for NXT. This week, he took on the supremely gifted athlete- Fabian Aichner. Ricochet took Aichner to the absolute limit and showed off a dazzling display of moves. He picked up the win with a sensational 630 splash.
Here's a small side note. It was interesting to see Aichner employing so much of Bruno Sammartino's offensive arsenal shortly after his demise. We can only imagine that this match was taped long before Mr. Sammartino left us.
As for Ricochet, he cut the ultimate babyface promo after his match and addressed the fact that he would be following the same path that so many of his heroes have. We can only imagine great things in his future.
#4 A brutal blood bath
Last night, we learned that SAnitY would be headed to SmackDown Live. They are primed to unleash their own brand of insanity upon the blue brand. Before Killian Dain left NXT, he had one more item to cross on his list. He had to destroy Lars Sullivan in a No Disqualification match.
As one would expect, this was not a contest for the faint of heart. There were chairs and tables and yes, a lot of blood as well. It may be safe to say that while there was a winner, neither man would feel like one upon heading to the locker room.
Sullivan rightfully picked up the win during the match. Dain will be headed to the main roster and one assumes that Sullivan needed the win to a far greater degree.
#3 A new name, a destructive debut
SmackDown Live has the Bludgeon Brothers, RAW now has the Authors of Pain and NXT has 'War Raiders'. The team formerly known as War Machine proved that they mean business in their first ever NXT TV match. They took on the Metro Brothers, a team that did not have a chance. It was a short, hard-hitting and unforgettable match.
For two men as big as they are, Hanson and Row can fly too, as you can see from the clip we've linked above. Imagine the matches they could have with The Undisputed ERA, Heavy Machinery and the Street Profits.
#2 Unfinished business
Johnny Gargano kicked off the proceedings this week with his lovely wife, Candice LeRae at Full Sail. The crowd was hot and Gargano admitted that he had goosebumps. The couple quickly admitted that as great as it was to put away Ciampa for good, there was yet another piece of business to take care of. LeRae had Zelina Vega in her sights.
This match certainly wasn't a 5-star classic. However, there's so much emotion invested into everything LeRae and Gargano do, that we were not disappointed at all. The crowd was hot and the double 'Gargano Escapes' at the end were quite phenomenal.
Shockingly, there would be yet another piece of business for Johnny Wrestling soon after. And that brought the show to a thrilling finale.
#1 Huge championship match next week?
Johnny Gargano challenged Aleister Black for the NXT Championship. Black won the gold from Almas at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. A week later, we learned that Almas was headed to SmackDown Live with feisty his manager in tow. And that brings us back to NXT once again.
Black emerged from the back and accepted Gargano's challenge. Yes, this dream match will transpire next week! Could Johnny Gargano possibly supplant Aleister Black?
This is a dream match in every sense of the word. We're certain that the more 'smart' wrestling fans are thrilled at the thought of this encounter.
What did you think of this week's show?
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