Hey guys and once again welcome along to this week’s review of NXT, this time from Chicago. We are coming off the heels of what was yet another epic Takeover show. So, let’s get rolling. We opened as expected with an excellent recap highlights package all about Takeover Chicago, and what a hell of a show it was. Following so, as always we are introduced by the commentary team of Tom Philips, Percy Watson and Nigel McGuiness who hype the show and from there we are on the road, let’s get to the action:
Aleister Black VS Curt Hawkins
I loved the fact that Curt Hawkins was having a match on NXT, that was a treat. But he was coming up against someone who has caught fire and never looked back, Aleister Black. This is also a rematch of their contest on Main Event a couple weeks back in which Black got the victory. Black was hot right off the bat, with his acrobatic expertise and some brutal knees which took Curt Hawkins right out of the game. Hawkins got himself back into the match by playing around with Black and catching him off guard, and from there The Fact Teller was in control. Not for long though as Black had taken back over very quickly with a Moonsault and finished it off with Black Mass. 1..2..3. Aleister Black rolls on and there is no stopping him for the time being. I am very excited about his future.
Aleister Black Beat Curt Hawkins By Pinfall – Black Mass
Next up was a detailed recap of the main event of Takeover Chicago, where DIY looked to dethrone The Authors Of Pain in a Ladder Match. For anyone that saw, they will know that DIY were unsuccessful in their attempt, and following so, came the absolute shock of shocks: Tomasso Ciampa turned his back on his partner Johnny Gargano and brutally attacked him, confirming the break up of what has been one of the best tag teams in NXT, and he did it in the most telling way. There will be a war between these two guys forthcoming, it is not a question of if, it is a question of when. And one thing is for sure: Johnny Wrestling will be absolutely gunning for his former partner and best friend. This story just took an even more intriguing turn, and all we can do is wait.
We got taken back to last Saturday when Ember Moon was shown sitting in the empty arena, talking about how she has to sit there and do nothing. A part of her wanted Asuka to retain so that she could be the one to dethrone the unbeaten champion. Well as we found out Saturday, Moon got her wish as Asuka retained the NXT Women’s Championship and remained unbeaten. It is only a matter of time before Moon and Asuka lock horns one on one, and I cannot wait. On a counter note, Asuka said as always, no one is ready and can go toe to toe with her.
Following Roderick Strong’s win over Eric Young, Strong was backstage where he said that when anyone brings his family into it, there is nothing he won’t do to end them, and Eric Young found that out.
Velveteen Dream VS Robert Anthony
This is the re-debut of Patrick Clark as a new character so it will be very interesting to see how it gets on in the coming weeks and months. Well, he was off to a great start with some great offence, basic yet very effective, and also landed a Neckbreaker. That was quickly followed with a Top Rope Elbow Drop for the quick victory. I must add, the distance and hangtime on that Elbow Drop was fantastic. Superb start for The Velveteen Dream.
Velveteen Dream Beat Robert Anthony By Pinfall – Top Rope Elbow Drop
We were once again taken back to Saturday’s NXT Takeover, this time with a detailed look at the United Kingdom Championship match which saw Pete Dunne dethrone Tyler Bate to become only the second ever champion. Following the match, Pete Dunne was interviewed backstage, where he said that the UK Championship was always rightfully his, and now everything is his. The NXT Championship match between champion Bobby Roode and challenger Hideo Itami was shown next, in which Bobby Roode retained the NXT Championship, and as shown post-match, that didn’t sit well with Itami. Backstage, Bobby Roode said that no one should be surprised, and claimed that Hideo Itami is not in Bobby Roode’s league and he proved that in Chicago. Roode finished off saying that he will decide who is next to challenge and that he will continue to make NXT glorious. I love love love, Bobby Roode! Next week we will be treated to a glorious celebration, so that will be awesome. Maybe next week we find out a potential challenger?!
Drew McIntyre VS Wesley Blake
This week’s main event stemmed from a challenge last week made by the returning Wesley Blake towards Drew Galloway, so here it is, we didn’t have to wait long. McIntyre has been red hot since coming back and I love it. Long may it continue. Anyway, to the action, and it was nice to slow pace to start off. That was until McIntyre landed a big boot square to Blake’s face, and from there the pace picked right up. Both men got some offence in early on, but the target was on McIntyre’s left arm as that seemed to be Blake’s focus. It was a great strategy, but as always McIntyre got himself back into the action and was on top. Blake managed to lock in a Crossface which put more pressure on McIntyre’s arm, but McIntyre was too strong and escaped quickly and managed to land a Reverse Alabama Slam for a near fall. The action was heated and the fans were right behind the Scotsman. After taking out Blake with a Headbutt, he landed his Single Leg Yakuza Kick for the victory. Although McIntyre was certainly the dominant of the two and deserved the win, Blake was absolutely no push over. Well done to both guys on a terrific main event.
Drew McIntyre Beat Wesley Blake By Pinfall – Yakuza Kick
Overall Thoughts
Another great edition of NXT, and although the first two matches were real short, the main event was a fantastic one in my opinion, and the many Takeover Chicago recap packages we got throughout the show were to be expected and are always awesome to watch and are always a great part of the show coming out of Takeover Specials. Soon we will find out Bobby Roode’s next challenger(s), we will find out when Ember Moon will be coming back to challenge Asuka, and we will hopefully find out some paths for other NXT stars going forward. And finally, I cannot wait to see the DIY turned enemies story unfold. Until next week folks, take care and thank you.