Nerdly » ‘WWE NXT Review (April 1st 2020)

02nd Apr2020

‘WWE NXT Review (April 1st 2020)

by Nathan Favel

Welcome to this week’s NXT review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have some gnarly s— on this show dude…APRIL FOOLS! This show sucks ass…APRIL FOOLS! Actually, you’ll just have to read to find out…APRIL FOOLS! Wait, you will have to read the review to find out if this show was good this week…damn it!

Match #1: The Velveteen Dream def. Bobby Fish

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

The Velveteen Dream continues to pick apart The Undisputed ERA one-by-one, and in doing so, may find himself one step closer to an NXT Championship opportunity against Adam Cole. Taking aim at Bobby Fish this week, His Purple Highness claimed victory, but the Muay Thai master didn’t go down without a fight. Fish repeatedly targeted Dream’s left leg, seemingly causing significant damage and hampering his mobility. But a split-second counter proved decisive as Dream hoisted Fish on his shoulders for the Dream Valley Driver.

My Opinion: 3.3 out of 5 – This was not too bad, but it was a bit too slow, thanks to Dream taking ten minutes to do everything. That being said, there’s nothing bad in here, but the match was like watching molasses cut with glitter trickle down a bear’s ass. Fish is still great, but it’s hard for him to go full-speed when he’s driving a car with a blown tire. All in all, William Shakespeare was a pussy and this was a good match.

Match #2: Dexter Lumis def. Jake Atlas

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

The NXT Universe has seen very little of Dexter Lumis, but one thing’s already clear — they’ve seen nothing like him before. Making his first appearance since a disturbing debut in the NXT Breakout Tournament last summer, Lumis’ presence was as chilling as ever. But once the bell rang for his bout against Jake Atlas, Lumis showed he was all business in the ring, as powerful and punishing as he is creepy. Finishing Atlas off with a modified Uranage followed by a vicious submission, no answers were provided about what makes Lumis tick, but he certainly sent a foreboding message to anyone who dares cross his path.

My Opinion: 2.1 out of 5 – This was…I think Lumis is Sam Shaw…because he sucks. Atlas was good when he was in charge, but those instances were too few. Give Atlas some more money and make Lumis learn how to wrestle better, because there are a lot of talented people who are getting ditched for his lame ass.

Match #3: Winner: Dakota Kai – The Second Chance Gauntlet Match To Enter The NXT Women’s Championship No. 1 Contender’s Ladder Match

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

No one impressed more than Shotzi Blackheart in the Second Chance Gauntlet Match to become the last entrant in next week’s NXT Women’s Championship No. 1 Contender’s Ladder Match. Unfortunately for her, a gutsy performance in grueling conditions wasn’t enough for victory. Blackheart ultimately fell short against Dakota Kai in the final leg of the Gauntlet, but not before demonstrating her mettle. After dispatching the likes of Deonna Purrazzo, Xia Li, Kayden Carter and Aliyah, Blackheart was exhausted when it came time to go toe-to-toe with Kai, though she almost overcame the odds — until Raquel González got involved. While she fought off Kai’s enforcer on the outside, it occupied her attention long enough for Kai to gather herself and blast Blackheart with a facewash and the Go To Kick. With the win, Kai joins the field of Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, Io Shirai, Tegan Nox and Candice LeRae in next week’s Ladder Match.

My Opinion: 3.4 out of 5 – This was a bit dull (not because of the lack of crowd), but it was solid and got time to make some-thing of itself. There’s action to be had here and that action was paced quite well, so I can’t fault any-thing that happens here, but I do wish that there was a bit more life to it. Kai made for a proper winner, so I have no qualms with that either. Altogether, Justin Timberlake looks like a rat and this match was alright.

Match #4: KUSHIDA def. Joaquin Wilde

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Big things may still be in store for the promising Joaquin Wilde, but his latest contest was an in-ring education, courtesy of Kushida. Though Kushida ceded the advantage momentarily when he checked on his opponent in the middle of their bout, Wilde found himself caught in Kushida’s dreaded Hoverboard Lock moments later with little choice but to tap out. Begrudgingly accepting a handshake afterward, Wilde seemed intent on getting another crack at NXT’s resident Time Splitter in the future.

My Opinion: 2.8 out of 5 – This was not as exciting as I was hoping for, but this was by no means bad either. The wrestling was good, but I wouldn’t go bouncing a quarter off of Jennifer Aniston’s ass in celebration of its quality either. In a better league, this would have been a marquee match with the training wheels taken off, but this is the WWE and…yeah. Hey, at least this was good for only being decent at best.

Match #5: (Main Event) Keith Lee def. Dominik Dijakovic and Damian Priest – Triple Threat Match For The NXT North American Championship

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Keith Lee is demonstrating serious staying power as the NXT North American Champion — and whomever eventually dethrones him has their work cut out for them. The Limitless Superstar came out on top in a Triple Threat showdown with Dominik Dijakovic and Damian Priest, their hostility from recent weeks coming to a head in a matchup of massive proportions — literally. The highly physical encounter saw all three men deliver highlight reel-worthy moments, perhaps most notably when Dijakovic and Priest teamed up temporarily for a modified Doomsday Device that ended with The Archer of Infamy’s spinning heel kick to Lee from the top rope. Later, Lee showed off his superhuman strength — as he often does —this time using Priest’s body as a battering ram to repeatedly smash The Rare Breed. Priest sought a shortcut to victory, resorting to the same nightstick that he’s used as an equalizer lately. Dijakovic’s attempt at the Feast Your Eyes ended with his knee catching the nightstick flush instead of Priest’s face, immobilizing him. Lee capitalized, sending The Archer of Infamy flying to the outside with a gigantic shoulder block before laying out Dijakovic with the Big Bang Catastrophe to retain his title.

My Opinion: 3.5 out of 5 – This was a fine main event that was no masterpiece, but if there had been a bit of KC then…that’s steak sauce. I like…steak…sauce…mmmmmmmmmmm. The triple threat rules were in effect (whatever the f— that means), so the two in, one out thing did happen from time to time. Fortunately, there was some strong spots…of steak sauce…mmmmmmmmmm. Jesus…give me a second. (man pees in corner while crying “The Rain Down In Africa”) I’m back and…the TalkTech was on…s—! Um…this was Lee’s match through and through. Lee really is becoming a big deal right before our eyes. I’m glad the champ retained the belt and I hope that this keeps him on the path of glory…path of glory? God…give me a second. (man s— in corner while crying “Sesame Street” theme song).