Triple H sure knows how to make an appearance in style. After getting his ass kicked in a moment that finally put Reigns over, Triple H came to the UK to revel in the fanfare for NXT. He kicked off NXT under the spotlight, a bit similar to what he did in Brooklyn and why not? This was the next biggest audience for NXT. Oh, and did they ever live up to the hype! This was the third straight show this week that WWE absolutely wrote really well. Go watch it right now!Here are the 5 points to note from NXT: London
#1 Bayley- Main Event Star!
Bayley and Jax had a beautiful story on display in the ring
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Why wasn’t this the main event! Bayley is, in all its entirety, a character that should main event. She’s a babyface juggernaut. Give her a green wrestler and there is still some masterful storytelling. Such is the compassion people have with that character. She gets the desired reactions for her and consequentially on her opponents.
The London crowd had some amazing chants for her. Actually, they sang for her.
Bona fide Rockstar!
She met a freaky strong Nia Jax who is still learning her craft and there was drama galore! She was wo-manhandling Bayley, hurling her around so effortlessly. Bayley’s rebuttals looked that much more amazing. Jax’s power still obviously remained unmatched. Bayley was mostly being dominated and lay there sometimes lifeless but like a true babyface she was still getting back up.
All Bayley could muster was putting the guillotine choke on her opponent and the crowd ate that up every single time. She kept doing that again and again and again and finally Jax succumbed to it.
#2 Missing ingredient
Well, we knew a terrific entrance was on its way and Balor obliged. You wait for every Takeover eagerly and one of the reasons why is this. London did not get an entrance that was elaborate but it was still a sight to watch.
But this match just could not follow the beauty that was Bayley vs Jax. These two mean were at each others throats, trying a way to kill the other but it just wasn’t enough after everything that we witnessed. It makes more sense now than ever to let Bayley take the baton and run with it. Finn Balor won and he continues his reign as the King of NXT but you still have to wait for him to get that great story. He’s told us good stories, no doubt but that truly great by all means story still eludes his reign.
#3 The Silent Assassin Prevails
They kicked off the show with a very good match between Emma and Asuka. Emma’s initial apprehension, array of hammer locks by both, Asuka’s vicious hip attack, the eventual struggle by Asuka punctuated by a couple of ferocious screams, that slap by Emma, the drop kicks and kicks by Asuka and the match was already a success. But there was more. And we were thankful for it.
There was Dana Brooke, who was perfect as the peppy heel manager. ‘Good girl, Emma’ And it almost felt like she knew what awaited Emma and she begged her not to give up. The textbook heel habit of cheating ensued and then we got a fantastic counter of a rollup by Asuka when she locked Emma in an Asuka Lock. The London crowd leapt enchanted.
It was so dramatic, it was awesome. Brooke interfered, it looked like Emma will win with that distraction but Asuka delivered the kick of death for the 3 count and BAH GAWD it was great!
Particularly like referees getting injured in some of these NXT women’s matches!
#4 That day shall soon come!
Like rockstars, Enzo and Cass had the audience chant everything they wanted. Electric is an understatement for what happens in an arena where these two guys go.
They got to wrestle two of the best heels in the tag division. They got the lines to prove it and the wrestling skills to show it. So, old school!
Amore delivered another spellbinding promo and you just couldn’t wait for the two teams to collide.
There was some commendable officiating in this match. After Dash and Dawson delivered a Gord buster while the referee was distracted in getting Cass out, Dawson covered Amore but thereferee did not count as in his eye Dawson wasn’t the legal guy. That saved a potential three count against the babyfaces.
Then there was Big Cass’ knee that the heels so love to assault. There was some brilliant selling from both Cass and Amore. There was the rabid London crowd. There were some very ,to the core, last minute saves. Carmella contributed for her boys. There was hope as Enzo climbed the ropes but he just ate a top rope gordbuster and the heels won.
Don’t worry. There is a Sami Zayn-esque and Bayley-ean moment for these two still coming!
#5 Corbin eyes to be King.
There was this recent episode of Breaking Ground where the cameras follow Baron Corbin. He’s been in NXT for 4 years now and is not wrong in considering himself one of the top guys. He’s a lone wolf in and outside the ring. He may seem arrogant or oblivious or narcissistic but you’ve got to watch him now to believe in him. He was lost for sure but he’s now growing into an interesting character. He’s a heel and he’s clicked with that role and everything, just like Roman Reigns, is falling into place.
He now eyes Finn Balor after his victory over Crews.
