Every week, the WWE Network airs the latest episode of NXT. Of course, if you are reading this site you know what WWE NXT is. However I know many WWE Network subscribers don’t follow the show. Much like Superstars, I watch NXT religiously every week. So why not share some of my thoughts while also giving some information to those who may not keep up with it?
This week’s episode of NXT features the usual team of Tom Phillips and Corey Graves on commentary. Finally, after losing the title we finally get Finn Balor but before he can say anything Elias Samson comes out and interrupts him. This leads to Balor attacking, sending Samson bailing. Decent and effective booking for the main event.
American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable) vs. Corey Hollis and John Skyler
This was what you’d expect. Ninety percent of the match was American Alpha enhancement with them just having fun. And that isn’t a bad thing at all. Still, these shows lately have been a lot of the same, and too many enhancement matches on one show without much interesting going on makes this less fun.
American Alpha are still awesome though. Jason Jordan has big star written all over him and Chad Gable should as well, although I wouldn’t expect it on the main roster as a solo guy. And their match with the Revival at Takeover should be another great match, but after that, where do they go from there? That’s what I’m interested in.
Winner: American Alpha
After American Alpha win, The Revival have a stare down from the ramp. Simple but effective. Then we get a promo from Nakamura with Cathy Kelley which isn’t much but hey, I can’t complain with seeing either one of them.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Alex Riley
Here it is, the last televised match for Alex Riley. I don’t like to make light of releases. This means somebody is losing their job and their livelihood. In many cases, dreams are crushed. But I can honestly say I won’t miss Alex Riley at all. I just could never get behind him once he stopped being The Miz’s sidekick.
And this was fine. It was ultimately just a showcase for Nakamura, which means it was fun. The crowd went absolutely wild for him, and I believe this was Nakamura’s first Full Sail appearance, so it is easy to see why. More Shinsuke Nakamura is a good thing. A very good thing.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
After Nakamura celebrates we see Austin Aries talking to William Regal. He says how he should be a bigger player on NXT, which Regal agrees with. Soon, Blake, Murphy, and Bliss walk in complaining and asking for a tag title shot. This leads to Austin Aries and a partner of his choosing taking on BAMF next week. I enjoyed this. Aries fits in better here, but I still want him to turn.
Rachel Ellering vs. Alexa Bliss
Well, this was a match. We can’t be too critical of Rachel here. Or really critical at all. She is new, and because she’s new she can only expected to be so good. I’m not sure if she’s had twenty matches yet. So naturally, her being lost and Bliss very clearly carrying her can’t be held against her.
But as far as a televised match goes, it was a little awkward and not particularly good, but nothing too terrible. Still, if an Eva got lost like Rachel did the internet would destroy her even though by the time she showed up on NXT I’d be shocked of Eva had more than ten singles matches. Bliss wins, as you’d expect. Looking forward to see how Rachel develops.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
After Bliss celebrates, we get a promo with Nia and Bayley that I didn’t think really worked. Nia just didn’t come across well here and I think she works much better with Eva Marie as her mouth piece. Meanwhile Bayley is solid in her backstage interviews, but she kind of feels like she’s treading water.
Elias Samson vs. Finn Balor
This was what it was. Elias Samson doesn’t interest me in the least, although I thought he worked in the opening segment. And Balor hasn’t had my interest in awhile. Combined, and I just don’t care much. Obviously, this was about giving Balor a win before telling us where he’s going from here.
And can that place please be RAW? It has done a wonder for other stale acts like the Vaudevillains and to a lesser extent, Apollo Crews. The scenery change could be great for Finn and it would be very entertaining if he debuts how many of us expect. In the meantime, I can’t pretend to have much interest in yet another Takeover match between Joe and Finn. Balor wins, as you’d expect.
Winner: Finn Balor
After, Joe comes out and is left laying but we now know that at Takeover it is official, Joe and Finn go at it. All I can say is I hope we get some kind of stipulation to freshen it up, as I’m just not that excited for another match between them even though I know it’ll be good. That wraps up NXT.
Match List
American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable) vs. Corey Hollis and John Skyler
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Alex Riley
Rachel Ellering vs. Alexa Bliss
Elias Samson vs. Finn Balor
Closing Thoughts
This week’s episode of NXT wasn’t that great. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t hold my attention much. The enhancement matches were all fine I suppose, but there just wasn’t anything that really captured my attention. And as much as I love a lot of the guys on the show like Joe, American Alpha, etc., nothing they were apart of really caught my attention. And Takeover, while I’m sure it’ll be good, isn’t looking very exciting. Next week looks more interesting though, so I’m looking forward to that.
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