‘WWE NXT’ Review (March 27th 2019)
Welcome to this week’s NXT review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have item number 121, the so-called “Red Violin”. Ba da da da, ba da da da, da da da. Also, I think we might have a match or two worth talking about (Dusty Rhodes Classic finals), so let’s see what all the noise is about.
Match #1: Kacy Catanzaro & Lacey Lane vs. Aliyah & Vanessa Borne
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The much-anticipated NXT TV debut of Mae Young Classic alumnae Kacy Catanzaro & Lacey Lane, against the aggressive combination of Aliyah & Vanessa Borne, ended in painful fashion for the newcomers, thanks to NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler. Flanked by Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir, The Queen of Spades barged in as The Vision and her bougie teammate were doing a number on Lane, before Catanzaro even tagged into the match. Having witnessed the brunt of Baszler’s force firsthand not long ago, Borne & Aliyah immediately got out of Dodge, but Lane & Catanzaro were not so lucky. Baszler kicked Lane out of the ring and went to lock the Kirifuda Clutch on Catanzaro, but the nimble former American Ninja Warrior star escaped. With the NXT fans cheering her on, Catanzaro dropkicked Baszler and did the same to Duke & Shafir before returning to the NXT Women’s Champion. By that time, however, Baszler was waiting for her. Without much hassle, Baszler clamped on the Kirifuda Clutch and put Catanzaro to sleep. Afterward, the angry champion — who was entered into a Fatal 4-Way Match against Io Shirai, Bianca Belair and Kairi Sane at TakeOver: New York after her last outburst — stomped her way to the announce desk, where she informed the broadcast team that this type of mayhem will continue for as long as Baszler “keeps getting mistreated.”
My Take: 2 out of 5 – This was a squash that did what it was supposed to do, so there you go.
Match #2: Matt Riddle def. Kona Reeves
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Velveteen Dream is a master of mind games, but the NXT North American Champion may have met his match in his TakeOver: New York opponent, the unshakable, unflappable Original Bro. After Matt Riddle gut-wrench suplexed Kona Reeves during their one-on-one match, The Dream’s music hit, and a purple couch carrying a lounging Dream was rolled onto the entrance stage by two women. The distraction temporarily derailed Riddle, allowing Reeves to pulverize the former UFC fighter with a back suplex and wear him down with a Cobra Clutch, but Riddle soon regained the advantage. The Original Bro made sure The Dream was watching closely before he tore into Reeves with a series of elbow strikes and made NXT’s Finest submit to the Bromission. Dream then took it upon himself to handle the match announcement from the comfort of his couch, declaring “Matthew” Riddle the victor over the microphone. Unfazed by Velveteen Dream’s antics, Riddle approached the couch, took a chalice from Dream’s hands, took a swig and threw the goblet aside before telling Dream that he’ll see him in New York … “bro.”
My Take: 2 out of 5 – This was more interesting for having Velveteen Dream watching the match from afar then it was for any of the actual wrestling. IT should have gone a bit longer and so should have this match. Also, Flowers in the Attic creeps me out. He $#@!&% his sister! Riddle is very talented and proved his worth even more with the brief instances of offense he got in this match. Overall, this wasn’t enough for me, but it worked out well for the winner.
Match #3: (Main Event) Aleister Black & Ricochet def. The Forgotten Sons to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Just when it seemed like Aleister Black & Ricochet’s 2019 couldn’t get any better, the electrifying alliance of The Dutch Destroyer and The One and Only notched yet another milestone victory. In an incredible action-packed fight that capped off the tournament honoring the late WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, Black & Ricochet overcame The Forgotten Sons’ Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake to not only win the 2019 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but also earn an NXT Tag Team Title Match against The War Raiders at TakeOver: New York. Throughout the contest, Black & Ricochet remained acutely aware of The Forgotten Sons’ heavy hitter at ringside, Jaxson Ryker. Despite their supreme caution, Ryker found a way to interfere, clobbering Ricochet in the lower back while the referee was distracted. That opened the door for Cutler & Blake to take over and dismantle Ricochet with a slew of backbreakers. Ryker’s luck ran out later in the match, however, when the referee caught him pushing Black’s foot off the bottom rope during a pin attempt by Blake, resulting in Ryker’s ejection from ringside. With the playing field finally leveled, Black escaped a subsequent powerbomb attempt by Blake, tagged Ricochet and hit Blake with a vicious Black Mass before The One and Only finished the job with a 630 Splash for the win!
My Take: 3.5 out of 5 – This was an excellent match that gave the Black/Ricochet team a shot at glory, in more ways than one. Black/Ricochet did a great job in looking like a team that had been together longer than they have in reality. There were some great transitions that…I sound like a dweeb. Transitions? What is this? Gymnast Monthly? Anyway, I almost forgot about The Forgotten Sons, so there you go on those excellent little chowder-headed, dip-stick, pecker-wood dinks and their star potential. This match had so much action in the final stretch that you could shake a Rambo at it. Overall, this match ain’t just for cream puffs.
News Of The Night:
- Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir attacked Kacy Catanzaro and Lacey Lane during the latter team’s match in the opener.
- War Raiders had a face-off with Aleister Black and Ricochet after the latter team won the main event to earn the right to fight for the NXT Tag Titles at TakeOver.
Final Verdict: 3/5
This was a standard NXT episode that had a strong main event that set up a big match for Take-Over.
