‘WWE NXT’ Review (Jan 16th 2019)
Welcome to this week’s NXT review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?
Match #1: Street Profits def. Metro Brothers
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Eager to start 2019 on the right foot, The Street Profits were even more fired up than usual for their match against Chris & JC Metro. Montez Ford howled in approval as Angelo Dawkins coldcocked JC and Chris in succession, and it wasn’t long before Ford launched high into the air with an incredible frog splash to claim the decisive win. Yet, as Ford & Dawkins took a victory lap around Full Sail Live, they were blindsided by The Forgotten Sons’ Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler. Just when it looked like The Street Profits might turns things around, Jaxson Ryker entered the mix to give Blake & Cutler a three-on-two advantage. After an unforgettable beatdown in which Ryker brutalized Ford with a chokeslam powerbomb and Blake & Cutler cut down Dawkins, the self-proclaimed “Savages of NXT” were left standing tall.
My Take: 2 out of 5 – This was fine for what it was, but it wasn’t much beyond a few moves and a crowd reaction.
Match #2: Dominik Dijakovic def. Adrian Jaoude
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Decorated grappler Adrian Jaoude tried mightily to slow Dominik Dijakovic’s ascent in the black-and-gold brand. The light-footed Brazilian found success early on, neutralizing Dijakovic’s size advantage by grounding him with a double-leg takedown and keeping the action on the canvas, but Dijakovic had other plans in mind. The towering newcomer, a nominee in the Future Star of NXT Award category, used heavy strikes to pry Jaoude off him. Dijakovic then slung Jaoude across the ring with a suplex, nearly ripped off his head with a lariat called the “Bloodline” and defended against a late burst of offense from Jaoude before drilling him with Feast Your Eyes to snare the three-count.
My Take: 2 out of 5 – This wasn’t nearly enough for any-thing other than a buck and a quarter. Dominik is capable of more than these paltry bouts he’s booked into, but I guess he’s just happy that he’s on TV…for now. Adrian looked good and shows some promise. There…all done.
Match #3: Johnny Gargano def. Humberto Carrillo
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Fresh off his WWE 205 Live debut, Humberto Carrillo hoped to deliver the biggest upset of the new year as he battled Johnny Gargano. Unfortunately for Carrillo, Johnny Wrestling would not be stopped in his mission of making 2019 all about “wins and championships.” Gargano weathered Carrillo’s thrilling aerial attacks and nearly kicked a hole through Carrillo’s head when the Mexican Superstar came flying off the top rope with a moonsault attempt. Gargano soon shifted into high gear, connecting with a series of moves that culminated with a slingshot DDT for the win. Johnny TakeOver sent a crystal-clear message to NXT North American Champion Ricochet after the match, staring directly into the camera and telling Ricochet that he’ll give him “all the respect you can handle” if The One and Only shows up next week on WWE NXT.
My Take: 3 out of 5 – Carrillo had two good showings in one week, this time with Johnny Gargano. Both men looked good in this match, with all sorts of wild moves being fired off at a thousand miles an hour. Johnny feels like an awkward heel, much like Daniel Bryan does on Smackdown. Carrillo is an earnest personality at this point and that’s all its got to be, at least for right now. Over-all, this was a fine match that should have gone a lot longer.
Match #4: (Main Event) Kassius Ohno def. Keith Lee
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Keith Lee’s noble efforts to avenge Matt Riddle following Kassius Ohno’s heinous attack on The King of Bros two weeks ago turned into another chance for NXT’s Knockout Artist to show the depths he’s willing to sink. Ohno approached the Limitless Superstar methodically, drilling him with strikes but also seeking cover whenever Lee began to gain steam. Despite this, Lee stayed on the attack, much to Ohno’s chagrin. After suffering a pounce by Lee late in the bout, however, Ohno changed the complexion of the match by shoving Lee into the referee. Intentional or not, the deed gave Ohno the opening he needed. The once-proud Superstar illegally low-blowed Lee outside the referee’s line of vision — an act reminiscent of Hideo Itami’s betrayal of Ohno in 2017 — and scored with the Rolling Elbow. The referee regained his senses just in time to administer the three-count in Ohno’s favor. Outraged by the turn of events, Riddle raced into the ring, despite not being medically cleared to even second Lee during the match, but Ohno had already high-tailed it out of there. Instead of avenging Riddle, this chapter in the Ohno-Riddle rivalry only seems to have intensified their scorching hostility.
My Take: 3.5 out of 5 – This was an excellent main event that gave Ohno his best match in some time. Lee had a great time getting to wrestle to his level of quality. These guys are a great pairing and you could get a lot out of Lee’s persona if you have Ohno there to bring out the best parts of it. The action was swift and hard, like many of either man’s best bouts from beyond their time in the WWE. Over-all, this match was strong enough to warrant another one, at least.
News Of The Night:
- Shayna Baszler and Bianca Belair continued their feud with Belair slapping Shayna.
- Matt Riddle tried to save Keith Lee from being attacked by Kassius Ohno, but failed to do so.
Final Verdict: 3/5
This was a good episode of NXT, with the main event being the best part of the card.
