Hey guys and once again please join me for this week’s review of NXT. As advertised previously, we know that tonight we will see Hideo Itami do battle with Oney Lorcan, and following his awaited return last week, No Way Jose faces Sanity’s Killian Dain. As usual, we were brought in to the show by the commentary team of Tom Philips, Percy Watson and Nigel McGuiness right before the action got under way.
Heavy Machinery VS Lars Sullivan And Victor Andrews
Heavy Machinery have been absolutely rolling lately, and they have made their intentions clear, they want the NXT Tag Team Championships. To the match in hand, and as expected, despite Lars Sullivan getting some offence and looking great in doing so, the match belonged to Ortis Dozovic and Tucker Knight who just displayed dominance and strength. The match did not last long and was ended quickly with their double team finisher, The Compactor. Post-match, Sullivan who was clearly disappointed in his partner for taking the loss, took it into his own hands and laid out Victor Andrews with sheer strength and danger. I want to see more of Lars Sullivan, he looked real good with what he did here.
Heavy Machinery Beat Lars Sullivan And Victor Andrews By Pinfall – The Compactor
Next up we heard from Roderick Strong who talks about how the last year was a rollercoaster, from coming to NXT, to having his fiance and having their baby boy, and that whole documentary story on Strong was superb to listen to. Strong continues by saying that he came here for the NXT Championship and that he is more driven than ever to do so. Cue the NXT Champion, the Glorious Bobby Roode to come out and has some digs at Strong, talking about his family. Roode goes on to recommend that Strong stays in his own lane, as in don’t come after the NXT Championship, because he isn’t man enough to win. Well, this is only going to fuel Roderick Strong even more, and if this is the direction NXT are heading, Roode VS Strong, then I cannot wait for this to happen.
There was a very short backstage segment involving Nikki Cross, who just mouthed the name of Asuka, before going crazy. It is clear, Cross wants Asuka once again. An Authors Of Pain/Paul Ellering promo followed.
Sarah Logan VS Peyton Royce
Yes! Peyton Royce and Billie Kay are back, how awesome is that?! Before their long disappearance, they were absolutely rolling with momentum. Meanwhile, this is the first we have seen of Sarah Logan, so this will be interesting. Royce got the much better start and was on top of the action, which included a great Spinning Kick to the face of Logan. From there, Royce stayed in control, until Logan got back into it simply with slaps and punches. However, that lasted seconds, as Royce turned the match on its head when she returned punches and elbows, landed a great running kick, and followed with a Fisherman Suplex for the win. I am so glad to have the Australians back, and Royce looked as impressive as ever, so great work there.
Peyton Royce Beat Sarah Logan By Pinfall – Fisherman Suplex
A WWE.com exclusive showed Andrade “Cien” Almas leaving last week following his loss to Cesar Bononi. As Almas was leaving with several women, he bumped into Thea Trinidad, who slapped Almas before walking away. So, as we know, Thea Trinidad has signed with NXT, so it looks like there is some sort of story emerging here, and surely we will see in the coming weeks.
Hideo Itami VS Oney Lorcan
Hideo Itami was looking to bounce back here following his NXT Championship match loss to Bobby Roode, and he hasn’t been in the best of moods since then. Just ask Kassius Ohno. Onto the match in hand, and it was a nice slow pace to kick off with some trading of holds, but that escaleted very quickly when Oney Lorcan took a hard slap to the face from Itami. Things picked right up from there and Itami expertly kept in control of the bout. Itami’s striking is viscous, scary sometimes, it is brilliant. Lorcan managed some great offense of his own but again it was quickly countered by Itami, and the counters kept coming. Following some hard slaps from Lorcan, Itamibwas lit on fire with anger and brought more hard strikes to take Lorcan out of the game. This was followed by a GTS, which would usually end the contest. However, Itami had no interest in ending the contest. Instead, he preceeded to land another GTS, followed by another GTS. Wow, statement made! Itami even went for a fourth, but oit came Kassius Ohno to make the save, before Itami and Ohno traded pushes. That was a great segment with the statement made by Itami, and it looks as if there could be a heel turn and a feud with Ohno in the works for Itami. We shall see. Anyway, great stuff here.
Hideo Itami VS Oney Lorcan Ended In A No Contest
We were treated to a promo for Drew McIntyre next. I honestly am praying to see Drew McIntyre VS Bobby Roode at some point in the future, that will be epic! Speaking of the amazing Drew McIntyre, it was then announced that he will be in action next week.
Backstage, Ember Moon, who has now been cleared for the ring, said that she is now more focused than ever and that when she gets her next opportunity, she will make sure that that opportunity is thee opportunity. We all know that Asuka VS Ember Moon one on one is coming, and I am excited about it.
No Way Jose VS Killian Dain
No Way Jose was gunning for Killian Dain after Sanity’s attack on Jose back at Wrestlemania Axxess two months ago, therefore this was going to be a battle. I was great to have Jose back though, he always brings such energy he is amazing to watch. There was no slow start here, a fast pace right off the bat with both men trading shots. Jose got the better start and as expected, the crowd were right behind him. By the time we got back from the commercials though, Dain had taken over and was now in control. Dain is quitr simply a monster of a man, his strength and size are outstanding, and not only that but he certainly has the agility too. Dain was doing superbly not to let Jose back into the contest for now and displayed his dominance and athletisism in doing so. Jose managed tonget some breathing space and got himself back in the game with some strikes, and with sheer excellent strength, pulled off a great TKO on Dain. That was an awesome spot. Just when it looked like Jose had caught fire, he was stopped right in his tracks when Dain landed a Running Double Foot Dropkick into the turnbuckles and followed up with his Ulster Plantation. 1..2..3..Done. A grear match and a brilliant effort by both guys, and something tells me that this business is not done between No Way Jose and Sanity, far from over.
Killian Dain Beat No Way Jose By Pinfall – Ulster Plantation
Overall Thoughts
That was indeed an action packed show which is always great to have. The roll of Heavy Machinery continues, Lars Sullivan made quite an impact, we have Billie Kay and Peyton Royce back and their momentum picked up where it left off, Hideo Itami made the biggest statement of the night and may be set for a heel turn, and to top it off in the match of the night, Killian Dain and No Way Jose put on a great performance. Tune in again next week folks as I will cover NXT which includes Asuka defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross and Ruby Riot, and Drew McIntyre VS an opponent to be named. Thanks, guys, and take care.