NXT returned from the Capital Wrestling Center (CWC) in Wlando, Florida last night (December 30). You can find the results on the live blog.
Sold
NXT had a real baler segment this week that hyped up New Year’s Wickedness Show that was already rather hyped.
Finn Baller and Kyle O’Reilly won the End of the Year award for the match of the year, a choice we agreed to. They worked in a corner to sell next week’s title match.
Finn did not take his award, keeping it with general manager William Regal. But he gave it to Kyle. Champ marched to the ring and called his challenger for the coming week. He told KOR that he did not need the award to remember the match. He has the hardware to do that – not just the NXT title on his shoulder but three screws in his jaw.
O’Reilly knew Finn’s antics were dependent, that he was a consolation prize. But he told Champs the hardware was not under him. Because it was proof that he deserved to share the ring with Bular and he deserved the top of the card. Champ then told his challenger that, next week, O’Reilly would take revenge for what he did with his jaw.
This was a strong promo work for both men, especially O’Reilly, to add to the excitement for next week’s match.
However, they were intercepted by Carian Cross and Scarlett. The dark angel of the cross told the men in the ring that it doesn’t matter who wins next week because the gold belongs to Carian. Add to Dunn trying to reach Finn after Brit beat Roderick Strong, and the title scene will get a little crowded. In a good way.
There are other problems with the cross though. He was leaving his “tick tock” catchphrase when Damien Priest was suddenly behind him. But he did not later attack his New Year’s evil enemy. He waited behind her.
The two then dumped each other’s rubbish all over the field. I’ve said this in the last few weeks, but Priest has found his groove as Bedas Babyface. Having his own control against the unbeaten cross helped raise his star. I doubt Infemi’s Archer wins next week, but it will be okay if they book him for how to do this brawl.
This segment is more exciting for me New Year’s Wickedness I was already.
The curse broke
Johnny Garga was worried about coming to the North American title defense this week.
Gargano has never successfully defended a singles title. He felt he was cursed so he and the rest of The Way tried their best to avoid anything that could lead to a bad Juju. They randomly saw the black cat at the end of the hallway and walked the other way this week with what is my favorite in their bits. (Plus, the idea of someone bringing their cat home for this bit tickles me.)
However, by the time he passed through the curtain for the match, Instein Theory attached him, he broke a mirror, and he walked down the stairs.
Luckily, none of them were able to affect the outcome of his match with Leon Rough as Johnny eventually beat the man and retained a title. It was a fun match, and a reminder that Rough is a really good wrestler. In the aftermath of initially upsetting the leader of the road to winning gold, he has become more than a growing genius who won the fluke. He has also consolidated more offenses in his matches while playing underdogs. It’s a formula that will suit him going forward. This whole angle has made Leon a player in the NXT and hopefully it will continue to grow even on Wednesday night.
Now is the time for Gargano and his family’s next struggle. I wonder if Kushida is ahead in the docket.
Still rules
The Dusty Tag Team Classic is back in a few weeks so we had some tag team focus this week.
Grizzly Young Vets beat Brizango in a competitive match. But once again, Ever-Rise (which rules by the way) steals the show with their post-match comedy antiques. Chase Parker and Matt Martel walked out after a match with a referee who used them to create the look they were holding back. But when she was fed up with their absurdity, she got out of there and suddenly these dudes changed their tune without wanting anything in their lives.
Ever-rising slowly “Who are these individuals?” For two kids I feel hilarious every week. I hope NXT introduces more than a comedy duo using the The Classic to help further their presentation.
We don’t know if Ever-Rise is in the dust at all. We know that the undisputed Ira is in it, with the new team of Adam Cole and Roddy Strong, representing the award-winning unit at the end of the year.
Big Bronson
Bronson Reed wins over Isaiah “Swarve” Scott.
It wasn’t squash, but I felt like they put a corner in this match booking. Just don’t lose the big think after re-debuting. It is clear that they have big plans for them. But Swarve is also going through a heel curve. They discussed his new attitude and commentary on the lack of sports tonight. The moment that is happening so quickly can hurt its change.
If it is in a state of transition, this damage should not actually cause damage though. Maybe it will just force him to accept his dark side.
All the rest:
– Pete Dunn defeated Roderick Strong in a match that reached long-term rivals. I wonder if Dune runs through the era … maybe meet Kyle as the champion?
– When raw Lins Dorado and Gran Metallic interrupt Santos Escobar’s promo, he finds it difficult for William Regal to find someone who can challenge him. Durado took Escobar as an exception, saying that two-thirds of the Lucha House Party (is he still an LHP?) Took the exception of telling what Lucha was before defeating Raul Mendoza and Joachim Quinn Noah. Escobar will defend his cruiserweight title against Metallic next week.
– Mercedes Martinez squashed the weak soul this week. I’m glad they’re swaying into his heel personality at the moment. It was the last heel, but they paired it with the stupid Robert Stone, who was fascinated. Now he’s just a killer.
– Xia Li & Boa’s training is complete and they will return to NXT next week. It’s about time, but now I’m starting to wonder if this will translate into a ring. And whether green talent like Xia and Boa will be able to perform at the level required for it. Clearly NXT thinks so, so we’ll find out next week.
– We got a hype video for Raquel Gonzalez / Rhea Ripley’s Last Woman Standing match next week. It was as good as most of their videos are. This played into their real life friendships to make their fights very personal. Before that about two powerhouses were colliding. Now there’s a lot more to it.
I admit I was distracted during most of this show. Usually I try to make everything consistent and focus objectively on NXT, something that I am better at a certain time than others. But tonight I’ll actually be watching the Brody Lee Tribute show on Dynamite instead. Brody’s death is still hard to understand and I would have loved to have watched it with other wrestling fans as it aired.
Because of that, NXT matches that were solid or better such as the tag team team turn or Roddy / Dune didn’t catch my attention because I believe they would normally.
Trying to overcome my distraction and watch as objectively as possible, this was still a good show. It had some strong segments in the second half, such as the Finn / Kyle Priest / Cross lead and the main event title match. If you’ve seen Dynamite and are wondering what to check out from NXT, the show was all solid but definitely in another part.
Grade: b
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