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NXT Takeover: WarGames is in the rearview mirror. A new season of NXT is underway right now. And what a main event match we had this week to kick things off into high gear. If this is an indication of things to come, we're all in for a treat.
It is human nature to fast forward, right into the thick of things. We really wish to talk about the main event of the evening, considering how amazing it was. However, we shall go about it in a more orderly manner, for your convenience and indeed, your reading pleasure (it'll still be the second thing we discuss).
Let's hope that this following NXT run, leading into the next Takeover is just as good as the one before it. Make Wednesday nights great again!
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Let's begin this week's countdown with a very interesting talking point from this week's fun episode.
#5 A brand new tournament commences
One look at Drew McIntyre and it is easy to see why one may think that WWE sees a lot of potential in the man. He's got the look, he's great in the ring, and he's a fantastic promo too.
Unfortunately, while McIntyre's return to WWE yielded big results, as he became the NXT Champion in no time at all; he suffered an injury during his match against Andrade 'Cien' Almas. An injury that could keep him out of action, right until WrestleMania weekend.
In his absence, a tournament is being held to determine who the next contender for Andrade 'Cien' Almas will be. Two matches took place this week, and two more matches will happen on next week's show. The winners meet in a Fatal Four Way match.
Let's take a look at the two matches that transpired this week, starting with the more 'even' contest.
#4 An explosive main event
Bear in mind that until the match took place, we did not know who Kassius Ohno's mystery opponent was. We were informed that it would have been The Velveteen Dream, but the man sustained an injury at NXT Takeover: WarGames.
In his stead, Johnny Gargano stepped up to challenge Kassius Ohno. While it may have been a tad disappointing to see Gargano (after all, he's an active part of the roster, and not really a surprise, as one may have expected), fans knew that Ohno and Gargano could dish out a real belter.
From the opening bell, right up to the finish, every aspect of this match was picture perfect. Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness provided the soundtrack to this magnum opus of a match in supreme fashion (Percy Watson wasn't too bad either, in this case), and McGuinness even admitted that he had tears in his eyes at the conclusion of the contest.
Johnny Gargano may have won the contest on paper, but really, both men won.
#3 A one-sided contest
This week's show began with the first tournament match, featuring Killian Dain of SAnitY, who was the MVP of the recently concluded WarGames match against British Strong Style specialist, Trent Seven. The latter never had a chance, really.
Anyone who's ever seen Dain in action knows how surprisingly quick he can really be for a man of his size. He kicked out of a Seven Star Lariat, sealing Seven's fate forever. Dain moves on to the big Fatal Four Way match, to face Gargano and two other contenders. So far, he's the favourite, really.
#2 A new name comes to NXT?
Someone new is coming to NXT, and he/she has a pretty cool promo video to announce his/her big arrival. Initial speculation suggests that it could be none other than Mae Young Classic finalist Shayna Baszler.
The Queen of Spades could be a welcome addition to the NXT Women's Division, considering how gifted she is as a performer. She looks like a bully. She can behave like a bully.
The division needs a strong heel who can be a nice counterfoil to Ember Moon. Baszler is exactly what the women of NXT need.
#1 Two women, one prize
Ember Moon was addressing the press this week when two familiar faces showed up and wanted a rematch for the NXT Women's Championship. Only they could not make up their minds about who would take the shot.
Peyton Royce and Billie Kay have always been on the same page thus far, even though they both have the same ambition. We wonder if we're beginning to see the first signs of their alliance, seemingly breaking up.
In our opinion, this may not be the best move. They work incredibly well as a duo and should move up to the main roster as a duo.
There you have it. Yet another exciting episode of NXT was shown this week, and we brought it across to you, with utmost pleasure. Join us again next week, for more NXT action. See you soon, folks!
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