‘WWE NXT’ Review (August 1st 2018)
Welcome to this week’s NXT review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and I hope you enjoy Ring of Honor’s dollar menu… I mean NXT. There’s that thing about the delete button again. People are going to think I don’t like NXT. That’s not true… I just don’t trust any words that have no vowels.
Match #1: Heavy Machinery def. The Mighty
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
With Tucker Knight back in action after a sneak attack put him on the shelf several weeks ago, Heavy Machinery were looking to score payback against Knight’s presumed assailants, The Mighty. Once he got into the ring, Knight took out his frustrations on Shane Thorne & Nick Miller, dropping both Mighty members with clotheslines, side slams and a cannonball splash from the ring apron to the floor. The underhanded Australian Superstars gained the advantage when Thorne tripped up Knight, allowing Miller to chop-block the big man’s leg. The Mighty’s powerplay didn’t last long, however, as another team wronged by Thorne & Miller, The Street Profits, stole their attention by holding an impromptu party among the NXT Universe. The momentary distraction gave Knight the chance to tag in Otis Dozovic, who, along with Knight, promptly smashed Miller with the Compactor to pick up the winning pinfall.
My Take: This was a nice, simple match. There wasn’t any-thing bad here or any-thing to jest about… so I’ve lost interest. Next!
Match #2: Moustache Mountain def. Matt Knotts & Brandon Taylor
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
When the NXT Universe last saw Moustache Mountain, Trent Seven was relegated to crutches, and both he and Tyler Bate were visibly gutted over losing the NXT Tag Team Titles to Undisputed ERA. Any despair that once existed was gone and replaced by an inextinguishable fighting spirit this week. Proving to be in fine fighting form, the bastions of British Strong Style confounded their opponents, Matt Knotts & Brandon Taylor, with their tag team wizardry. After delivering a bevvy of big hits, Moustache Mountain put Taylor down for the count with a double-team knee drop/Burning Hammer combination. After their impactful win, Moustache Mountain informed the NXT Universe that they are coming for Undisputed ERA’s Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly, announcing that they will invoke their NXT Tag Team Championship rematch at TakeOver: Brooklyn 4!
My Take: This match was more about the announcement than the action… so I’ve lost interest. Next!
Match #3: EC3 def. Kona Reeves
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
The NXT Universe was in store for a marquee matchup as two of the black-and-yellow brand’s most outspoken Superstars, EC3 and Kona Reeves, squared off in a smash-mouth collision. The Finest gained the edge after snapping the top rope into EC3’s throat, and he wore down his opponent with the suffocating Kona Clutch submission hold. The Top One Percent eventually broke free and dropped the Hawaiian elitist with a somersault neckbreaker, at which point, Velveteen Dream — who abandoned EC3 during a tag team match in London in June — interrupted the proceedings. Dream told EC3 that if he wants to clear the air about their past problems, he’ll have to come to “the Dream’s world” to do so.
As soon as Dream exited, Reeves snuck up on EC3 and hit him with Hawaiian Drop, but EC3 kicked out of the pin attempt, leaving The Finest in total shock. He then began running his mouth, giving EC3 enough time to recover and stun Reeves with the One Percent for the win. NXT General Manager William Regal announced later in the night that The Top One Percent will have his chance to get his hands on Velveteen Dream when they battle one-on-one at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, streaming live Saturday, Aug. 18, exclusively on WWE Network.
My Take: This was a nice little match that was mostly about setting up an angle with Velveteen Dream… so I’ve lost interest. Next!
Match #4: Main Event – NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler def. Candice LeRae in a nontitle match
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
While Candice LeRae has repeatedly stood up to NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler, even paint-brushing the trash-talking Queen of Spades three weeks ago, Baszler still showed no respect for her plucky adversary. Baszler held the ropes open for LeRae at the outset of their nontitle match and offered her the chance to leave the ring, but LeRae didn’t take the bait and instead repaid Baszler’s hubris with a dropkick. The laser-focused LeRae stayed on offense until the meanspirited champion ran her shoulder-first into the steel ring steps. From there, Baszler’s most vicious instincts took over, as she stomped, twisted and nearly tore LeRae’s limb off. Ever tenacious, LeRae stayed in the fight, even forcing a rope break when Baszler locked in the usually match-ending Kirifuda Clutch.
The Submission Magician went for the Clutch again but LeRae spun out of the attack, landed a double footstomp and followed up with an Unprettier before attempting her highlight-reel-worthy quebrada. The high-risk move missed the mark, however, and Baszler reapplied the Kirifuda Clutch, this time forcing the determined LeRae to submit. Never one to take the high road, Baszler locked in the Kirifuda Clutch again after the bell until referees pried her off LeRae. Unable to stand by and watch Baszler’s out-of-bounds actions, Kairi Sane rushed the ring to prevent any further onslaught against LeRae. Baszler landed one final parting shot, kicking Sane when her back was turned. The Pirate Princess, who is set to challenge Baszler for the title at TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, came unglued and went after Baszler, but NXT officials were quick to separate the challenger and champion. The story won’t be the same come Saturday, Aug. 18, in Brooklyn.
My Take: Now this is a match that you I won’t lose interest in. Baszler is a dominant athlete who fights like it’s still the real thing. I always cringe, just a little bit, when she starts getting aggressive. MVP, the former WWE star, said about a month ago that no woman could ever beat a man, especially him, in a fight. I’d love to see MVP say some-thing disparaging about female fighters while Baszler’s around to say some-thing about it. As for LeRae, any-time she is on the card, she kicks ass at high-speed and that’s what you’re looking for from wrestling. I enjoyed all of the little things these two had going on here and got a real thrill out of the whole thing.
News of the Night:
- EC3 fights Velveteen Dream at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn 4.
- Moustache Mountain challenges the Undisputed Era to regain the NXT Tag Team Titles at Brooklyn 4.
- Aleister Black attacked Johnny Gargano after he assaulted Tommaso Ciampa.
Final Verdict: This was a dull card that was saved by the main event. It seems that the Ring of Honor dollar menu joke might have been a little too on the money, this time.
