Hey guys, and once again welcome to my weekly review of NXT, and tonight featured recaps, women’s action, returning stars, and a fantastic main event, all of which I will cover:
The show kicked off with a short promo hyping the return of former NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, which we have all been anxiously awaiting ever since his title loss and knee injury. Tonight, Nakamura faces off against Raw and 205 Live’s TJ Perkins. We are introduced to the commentary team of Tom Philips, Nigel McGuiness and Percy Watson. Let’s get this show on the road.
WWE NXT
March 8th, 2017
Venue: The Venue At UCF, Orlando, Florida
Commentary: Nigel McGuinness, Tom Philips, Percy Watson
Tye Dillinger VS Eric Young
This one was bound to be heated due to the recent story between these guys. I was saying every week that I look forward to seeing where this goes, and tonight we were going to get some more of this story unfold. The Perfect Ten is first out to an awesome reaction, as always! As Sanity made their way out, leader Eric Young sent his crew to the back, shouting at Dillinger that this is all between the two of them. It turned out that 1-There was no match after all, and 2-Sanity got called to the back for a specific reason: Dillinger had a confused look on his face as the Sanity members hauled out a beaten up Roderick Strong. This was clearly to make a statement at Dillinger’s expense based on the fact that both Roderick Strong and No Way Jose have had The Perfect Ten’s back. This all turned into a 2-On-3 brawl when Dillinger and No Way Jose ran to the ring to battle with Sanity, however, the numbers game proved too much as Sanity got the better of it and stood tall. Their plan all along was getting in the head of Tye Dillinger..And it worked. Great stuff here as it just adds to the fire of what is already a hot rivalry and things will only continue to escalate.
Tye Dillinger VS Eric Young Was A No Contest
Next up was a WWE.com exclusive where Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are trying to find a spot to hang their ‘Breakout Stars Of The Year’ award. They get into a bit of an interaction with rival Ember Moon, which leads to tonight’s match where Ember Moon takes on Billie Kay. Both women have been very impressive lately and tonight will be no different.
Following the exclusive was a new promo which seems to be focused on a new debuting star, and it will be very interesting to get more of these promos and get more clues as to who is coming. It looks to me as if it is Alisdair Black on his way to TV. Awesome!
HoHo Lun VS Andrade “Cien” Almas
We have not seen Andrade Cien Almas in a good while, and we have not seen HoHo Lun since the Cruiserweight Classic, so it was great having these guys back on NXT TV. Cien was doing great work prior to his disappearance so hopefully, he can pick up his momentum right away. Cien attacked Lun right off the bat and he was all over Lun, staying on him superbly. Altogether Lun managed about fifteen seconds of offence, however, it was a short contest, and Cien dominated it and ended it with a very powerful clothesline and his Hammerlock DDT. Cien looked awesome here, he has been much better as a heel performer, and I for one am excited to see where he goes from here: I hope he can make his way onto the Takeover Orlando show.
Andrade Cien Almas Beat HoHo Lun By Pinfall – Hammerlock DDT
Billie Kay VS Ember Moon
As discussed above, this all stemmed from the confrontation in the exclusive. Both women had a lot of momentum so this was going to be an interesting match. Ember Moon right out of the gate with the offence, but, as expected, Peyton Royce got involved on her partner’s behalf and managed to distract Moon long enough for Kay to take over the offence and stay on Moon. Again I have said this previously numerous times: The Australians are a very well oiled machine, no question about it. There were bits of back and forth trading between the two women but Kay was getting the better for the time being. However, Moon is always capable of turning it around, and that is exactly what happened when she took out her opponent, and despite Royce’s attempt to once again involve, Moon finished Kay off with her beautiful Top Rope Stunner. Done!
Ember Moon Beat Billie Kay By Pinfall – The Eclipse
Brilliant match and performance by both women. Post-match, concern struck me as Billie Kay seemed to have suffered a neck injury as she was bearly moving. Thankfully, though, she managed to stand up and the fans showed their appreciation, which was amazing to hear and see. Let’s hope that Billie Kay is absolutely okay.
Backstage, TJ Perkins says that there is no one he wants to face more than Shinsuke Nakamura, and goes on to say that he steals moments. Clearly, TJP is looking to take the spotlight this evening. I could not wait for this match.
Once again, there was supposed to be a contest here with The Revival taking on The Ealy Brothers, but as I will cover, that match did not happen: As The Ealy Brothers were making their entrance following The Revival, they could not even make the ring without NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors Of Pain taking them out to once again send a message to Dash and Dawson. You have to think here, what a shame on The Ealy Brothers.That is twice that they have gone to have a contest, only to be attacked before getting their opportunity. Hopefully, we can see these guys in action soon.
We were taken backstage where NXT GM William Regal is standing next to Ember Moon.Regal announces that at NXT Takeover Orlando, Asuka will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Moon herself. Moon gave a smile and says that come Takeover, the women’s division will enter a new phase. Awesome, this match is official! I had wanted this match ever since Takeover San Antonio, and Orlando will see an epic contest here.
Next up was a sit-down interview with Tom Philips and Kassius Ohno. Ohno says it is great to be back yet it is surreal how much it has all changed, the transition from when NXT first started, all the way to today’s Performance Center. He further talks about how he has wrestled all over the world, yet he carries some doubt about his career, and that is why he has to beat Bobby Roode and become NXT Champion, to take that doubt away. Bottom line, Ohno’s aim is to be defending the NXT Championship in Orlando. On a counter note, NXT Champion Bobby Roode had some words via satellite. Roode doesn’t care what Kassius Ohno has to say, and that Roode himself has the responsibility as champion to mould NXT into his vision. The fate of NXT is in his hands, and the future is on his shoulders. The champion finishes off by claiming that he will walk out of next week as champion and will continue to take the brand forward and make it glorious!
TJ Perkins VS Shinsuke Nakamura
This one was always going to be awesome, and it is a huge test for both men. The contest started off with some chain wrestling and quick reversals. It kicked off at a slow pace, which I thought was perfect. The back and forth stuff continued on and the pace picked right up at the right time. Shinsuke Nakamura gained the upper hand when he brought in his knee offence because as everyone knows, he is great with knees and kicks. The tables turned when TJ Perkins got the upper hand when he smartly targetted Nakamura’s knee, which told a great story. He further created more offence when he landed a great looking Neckbreaker and some kicks to further the punishment and to add to it he landed a Springboard DDT which was amazing to watch. That is a move we don’t see very often at all! Once again, when it looked like Nakamura was taking over, TJP attacked the knee again, very smart. After a brilliant game of submission reversals between both stars, TJP managed to lock Nakamura in his Kneebar, but Nakamura managed to grab the rope. This was absolutely brilliant from start to finish, and the crowd thought likewise! A nice combo of knees and kicks got the Japanese Sensation back on top and he managed to keep on TJP, and it was a bit much for TJP to overcome Nakamura landed Kinshasa for the 1..2..3!What an awesome match, well done gents, amazing work by both men. Easily the match of the night, a show stealer indeed. Following that, it was announced by William Regal that at Takeover Orlando, Shinsuke Nakamura will face the winner of next week’s title match between Bobby Roode and Kassius Ohno! Over and out.
Shinsuke Nakamura Beat TJ Perkins By Pinfall – Kinshasa
What an awesome match, well done gents, amazing work by both men. Easily the match of the night, a show stealer indeed. Following that, it was announced by William Regal that at Takeover Orlando, Shinsuke Nakamura will face the winner of next week’s title match between Bobby Roode and Kassius Ohno! Over and out.
Overall Thoughts
What a show..The Tye Dillinger/Eric Young story once again picked up to further new heights, we have a new number one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship (and damn well earned I must say), a new star is coming, the main event was class, Shinsuke Nakamura awaits next week’s winner, and speaking of, we have a great NXT Championship match to get excited about! Another great week for NXT and we can all now focus on next week. Thanks again guys, and until then, take care.